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Is It Possible to Negotiate a Personal Injury Settlement Without an Attorney?

The question – is personal injury settlement negotiation feasible? – ranks high amongst the top asked plaintiff inquiries. Well, the answer to this question is “YES.” However, to get what’s rightfully yours, preparedness is a crucial factor.

Although getting a hold of the inner workings is essential, it’s worth noting that while people usually engage the services of attorneys for this subject matter, you can negotiate your personal injury settlement without a lawyer in the mix.

Why? For starters, you get to keep all the rewards to yourself without having to worry about giving your legal representative “one-third” of the final settlement value (typical when an individual hires a personal injury lawyer). 

In the subsequent paragraphs, we’ll give insights into damages you can seek compensation for— so that you can understand how much settlement can be deemed appropriate. 

That said, once you’ve factored in considerations like liability evidence and insurance cover, gathering the confidence to draft that letter demanding a settlement review is feasible.

Self-Representation: When Should You Put This Aspect Up for Consideration?

Before you opt for self-representation, you’ll need to ask yourself specific questions. Getting answers to these queries can go a long way in knowing whether or not the “self-representation” approach is the right fit.

First off, establish the severity of the injury. For some context, if you slipped at a convenience store and you got some bruises, seeking settlement is easier as the store in question would be reluctant to put up a fight. 

On the other hand, if you’ve sustained personal injury in a severe accident, you might want to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney.

Why? Usually, the plaintiff (you) will seek fair compensation, and the defendant (insurance company) won’t be willing to let go of funds that quickly. Consequently, to avoid back and forths, it’ll be best you seek the advice of a seasoned legal representative.

The second thing you’ll need to ascertain is whether it was the fault of the other party 100%. Here, you’ll need witnesses to validate your story. However, if there’s a lack of witnesses, you might be in for a litigation battle with the defendant as they’ll be looking for exploitable loopholes. 

In case you find yourself in a debacle of this nature, hiring a personal injury lawyer should be up for consideration.

Just Before You Send a Demand Letter: Tips and Steps to Note

Before you send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance firm, do the following:

  • Take photos of the scene, property damage (if any), and personal injury.
  • Get a police report.
  • Treat yourself as soon as possible.
  • Engage your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) to settle initial bills.
  • Ensure that you don’t divulge information to the at-fault party’s insurance company.
  • Check the personal injury statute of limitations to know the time frame to file a case successfully.
  • Don’t give off information concerning your accident on social media.

Sending a Demand Letter: What It Should Contain

Fulfilling the above caveats, here’s what your demand letter should state in clear terms:

  • Why the bulk of blame rests with the defendant.
  • The form of your injuries and treatments you’ve gotten.
  • Financial drawbacks that stemmed as a result of the accident or personal injury.
  • Any other type of losses you’ve encountered, such as PTSD and suffering.

If you’ve been a victim of personal injuries, you can seek a settlement review. However, while you might want to represent yourself at first, some circumstances might make it seemingly impossible.

Here, you might want to look into the services of Valiant Advocates. Having a reputation for dexterity when it comes to personal injury settlement cases, connect with a top personal injury attorney when you place a call to our toll-free number: (800) 910-6668

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