There is an old adage that the lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client. There are also many lay people who endeavor to handle their own legal matters. Such individuals figure that they can talk to the insurance companies, and deal with the other side’s legal counsel just as well as an attorney could. Their bravado may be born from ignorance of how serious damages can be from a personal injury.
Attorneys who handle personal injury cases (for both plaintiffs and defendants) know that a “pro-se” party, or an individual who is representing themselves, is easy to beat in the legal system. This begs the question, who is the fool when a person is “pro se” in their legal case?
Some people are not so much motivated by a do-it-yourself mentality than by a belief that legal fees are too high, and they do not want to “waste” any of the damages they recover in paying for a lawyer’s services. Still others try to represent themselves because they do not think they can afford a personal injury attorney. This is far from the truth. Anyone injured in an accident can afford an attorney. This is because many attorneys, such as myself, work on a contingent fee basis.
When a person is injured in a car accident they should seek out the legal counsel of an experienced personal injury attorney. Severe, long term injuries can be sustained in an auto accident. Lawyer involvement from an early point in time is critical in creating a case where the injuries suffered will be properly addressed through damages paid out by the defendant(s). Typically, initial consultations with an attorney are at no cost to the potential client, and it is at these initial meetings that the fee structure, or how the lawyer will be paid, is set out.
In a contingency fee structure, the lawyer is paid a percentage of the amount awarded to the client. The lawyer is only paid after the case is either won at trial or else is favorably settled. The only money paid out of pocket by the client may be for such things as court filing fees and witness fees. Here at the O’Sullivan Law Firm, we cover even those expenses.
In lawsuits involving an auto accident, lawyers who take a case on a contingency basis usually require clients to sign an agreement that specifically sets out the terms of the contingency fee payment. This makes it possible for just about anyone with a viable claim to have an attorney work for them to secure their rights. Contingency fee arrangements allow anyone, rich or poor, to find legal representation for their civil case. There are few situations where representing yourself in legal matters is a good idea.
We want to help you get the settlement you deserve and don’t think, “I can’t afford a lawyer”, is a valid excuse in any personal injury case.
