On top of any personal injury or property loss, car accidents are just stressful, even relatively minor ones. The last thing a person wants to do after all that is take on the frustrating task of finding a lawyer that they can trust, but it’s well worth the effort, and, if you’re prudent in your search, will reduce the stress of handling it on your own. Obviously, you want to look for an experienced lawyer with a history of success, but here’s a couple more things to consider.
1. Pros and Cons of Pro se Litigant
Deciding to represent yourself is definitely a gamble, and you need to realistically consider that even if you do everything right, it might not pay off. Though it looks like savings upfront, PIP claims are notoriously complex and difficult, and it would take a profound effort for a laymen to prepare themselves for litigation. Even with that undertaking, there are countless examples of people attempting to represent themselves, with sound and reasonable arguments, that are dismissed by biased jurors. This is a huge risk to take when considering how much there is to lose, and how much clout you gain simply by having a lawyer enter settlement negotiations on your behalf.
2. Do Your Homework
Familiarize yourself with your accident, read all the documents you’re provided and make sure you have a clear understanding with your insurance company about what kind of settlement they’re offering. With those simple steps, says website url, you might be able to negotiate a lower legal fee. They advise to bring all the documentation you have to the initial meeting with your lawyer, and be upfront about what you’re suggesting. By doing some of this legwork, you may be able to free them up to focus on the harder stuff, that you actually want to pay them for.
The final step, though, will always be reaching out and communicating with your prospective PIP Claim Lawyer. Getting a feel for them is really the only way to know if you’ll be comfortable trusting them with your case, and experienced, knowledgeable attorneys such as the ones at Shuster & Saben, LLC will always be able to provide more specific consultation.
