Although you can settle a personal injury claim without an attorney, working with a lawyer is a smart decision. When you sustain an injury in an accident caused by another party, you want your body and mind to heal and recover. But dealing with an insurance adjuster can heighten your stress. As a result, you won’t be able to focus on getting better. If a Wisconsin personal injury lawyer takes your case, they can handle talks with the adjuster for you. The attorney can use their knowledge, resources, and experience to help you secure the compensation you are entitled to. They know how much compensation you deserve to get, taking into account your circumstances, injury, and other factors.
If you try to handle your personal injury case without an attorney, you can make mistakes or miss the statute of limitations. The following are mistakes you can make if you don’t hire a personal injury lawyer:
You May Settle Too Early
Claims adjusters might offer a few thousand dollars as a claim settlement before you can complete your treatment. When you accept their offer, you won’t be able to seek additional compensation from the insurance company again. So, if your doctor orders surgery or claims you cannot regain full function, the insurance company won’t give you more compensation. So, you should not accept a settlement offer from the insurance company without consulting with an attorney. Your attorney will ensure your settlement will cover your current and future losses.
You May Miss the Deadline
When it comes to personal injury claims, there is a deadline for when you can file a lawsuit against the party responsible for your injuries. The insurance adjuster knows this and will try to get you to miss this deadline. They may not answer your phone calls or make endless requests for documentation. After all, the insurance company doesn’t need to pay you compensation if you miss the deadline. But this will never happen if you work with an injury lawyer since they know how important it is to be mindful of the statute of limitations.
You May Give a Recorded Statement
When the insurance adjuster contacts you, they may ask you to give a recorded statement. Without an attorney, you may not know the consequences of giving in to such a request. The insurer may use whatever you say during the conversation against you or your claim. You may say something innocently, but it may be interpreted by the insurer differently.
