You can be a strong believer in DIY ideas – – you might not need a painter or plumber when you’re ready to fix or renovate your home, and it seems like you can look up how to DIY for almost anything these days on the internet or YouTube. If you have been injured in a car accident, you may also think the same thing. Perhaps you think, I can save a lot of money by handling this myself, and not paying an attorney for their fees. You may even think, I will get a bigger piece of the pie after I settle with the insurance company, because I won’t have to share it with a personal injury lawyer. If you decide to “DIY” for your personal injury case, you need to also consider the risks. Will it affect your recovery? Will it affect how much the insurance company is willing to pay you? What other issues may arise that could affect your settlement? Consider the following five reasons why you should re-consider DIY when it comes to pursuing your personal injury case.
1. Settling for Quick Money
Insurance companies play a major role when it comes to settlement. Obviously, you will file a claim for the bodily or property damage and the opponent’s insurance company will no sooner contact you and take your statement. If you were injured in the accident, there are certain rules in Colorado that govern the insurance company’s actions in taking your statement. Keep in mind that the insurance company does not have your best interests in mind; it is often only concerned with its bottom line, which is to pay you the lowest amount possible for your claim. You should know that you cannot always trust the insurance company, for this reason among others. Related Blog: Why you should not trust Insurance Companies Insurance companies know how to play the game, and they play it well. They know if that if your vehicle has been totalled and you need medical care, that you will want to recover from the insurance company as soon as possible. The insurance company will use this to convince you to settle the case outside the court with their “best” offer – even if it’s not really their best offer at all. There are certain legal arguments that can be made related to liability, causation, and damages that are often best left to an Auto Accident Attorney that can result in a larger settlement from the insurance company.
2. Lacking Negotiating Confidence
It takes knowledge of the law to be confident while negotiating your claim and to be aggressive with the insurance company. Before you initiate the process of a claim with your insurance company, you should be aware of your rights and know what you are entitled to receive by law when your insurance company does not timely process your claim, or even denies your claim without reason. Without this knowledge, it can be difficult to negotiate your claim that results in an amount that will compensate you fairly for your injuries.
3. Losing Direction Too Soon
You cannot resolve your entire case in a single step – whether that be a single phone call or response to the insurance company. Unfortunately, the process can be painfully slow, but one that is more likely to reward you for sticking it out. And if you case case takes unexpected twists and turns, you may begin to feel lost without anyone to help you. What will you do now? Instead of risking limiting your recovery in your case, it is often better to leave it to experienced Denver Colorado Lawyers to deal with highs and lows of the process as they are the legal professionals in this field with the experience, knowledge, and skill set to process your claim efficiently and with your best interests in mind.
4. The Information You Find on the Internet is Often Wrong
The internet has become our biggest guide today, but unfortunately – sometimes the information you find on the internet is wrong! It could be old laws that no longer apply, laws that don’t apply in your specific situation, or laws that only apply in other states. Only an experienced legal professional knows the laws in Colorado and how they apply specifically to your case. Consult an experienced personal injury attorney without getting overwhelmed by general laws cited to on the internet that may or may not be the law of your case.
5. Ignoring Valid Medical Liens
Did you know that every medical provider that provides you with medical care after a car accident has a valid medical lien against any settlement proceeds you receive? This is important to keep in mind when negotiating with the insurance company, and when executing your final settlement documents. If you ignore, i.e., don’t pay a valid medical lien out of a settlement, then you could be responsible for repaying that medical provider. Who wants to worry about that? Your personal injury attorneys! This is something that they deal with on a daily basis and can handle for you. Although it may seem like handling your personal injury case yourself will save you money, in the long run, it puts you at risk of receiving an insurance claim denial, or a lower settlement amount from the insurance company. You only pay us based on a contingency fee agreement – we only get paid if we recover money for you, and you don’t pay until that time comes. Call our personal injury attorneys anytime – day or night – and see what we may be able to do for you.
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