Why Do I Need An Attorney?: Top 3 Myths Debunked

We love a good DIY project. But handling your own legal work is not the best idea. Why? Stay tuned as we debunk several myths about legal DIY and how a good attorney protects your best interest.

Myth #1: I keep more money in my pocket if I handle my own legal negotiations.

Most people believe they will keep more money in pocket if they don’t have to pay an attorney. This makes sense intuitively since minimizing costs will maximize return. However, without experienced legal assistance, you may also minimize your recovery.

The reality is that an experienced personal injury attorney will nearly always increase the settlement amount significantly for a variety of reasons. Foremost, many insurance companies are tricky in the way they handle claims and “claimants” (i.e. you) and often get you to agree to a settlement that is much less than what your claim may be worth.

Second, insurance companies are much more motivated to provide fair value for your claim if litigation from an attorney appears to be a real threat. In other words, insurance companies know they will be obligated to pay legal fees if they shortchange your claim when an experienced personal injury attorney is involved.

And finally, an experienced lawyer can often reduce medical provider liens filed and negotiate down health insurance expenses — both of which you must pay out of your final final settlement. These savings very often pay for the attorney’s fees and then some; leaving more money in your pocket and less headache throughout the process.

The goal at Moore Law is that you receive more money in your pocket with our help than you would have received without it!

Myth #2: I can just get an attorney later if I need to go to trial.

While you certainly can obtain an attorney prior to litigation, your case will be much better prepared to go to court (and win) if you initiate your case with legal representation. Many of the missteps that occur during DIY methods significantly decrease the amount recoverable in a trial. Most of these missteps occur during the first few months after an accident.

Clients giving a recorded statement to an insurance company, for example, is an often agreed to request by the unknowing DIYer that can easily undermine a favorable judgment in court. Insurance companies are smart and spend a lot of time and resources crafting questions to ask you in recorded statements. If it weren’t beneficial for them, they would not waste their time obtaining your recorded statement in the first place.

This recorded statement often rears its head in litigation to argue against you. Things that you say a week after the accident (“I feel okay right now.”) can be used to demonstrate that you should not require medical treatment later since you were “okay” one week after the accident.

A good personal injury attorney will take are of the administrative headaches associated with an injury claim, decrease the amount taken by third parties, and ultimately increase the amount of money recovered by their client.

Myth #3: The insurance company seems to be working with me fine; what’s the big deal?

Not all insurance companies are trying to take money from you. Then again, they are not your friend either. Rest assured that your interests are NOT their interests.

Most adjusters are friendly personalities that are easy to talk to — at least initially. They prefer to act quickly, catching claimants unprepared and guiding you away from hiring an attorney. (They know that hiring an attorney means you will get a better settlement.) They may offer a quick, small payment right up front hoping you will agree to it and simultaneously releasing them from any further liability (i.e. paying you any more!).

Additionally, they may casually request a recorded statement like it is standard procedure. The truth is that you are not required to give a recorded statement and they are really hoping to glean something from the recording that will lessen or cancel their liability.

These and many other sneaky tactics are the reason you need a knowledgeable attorney with experience to help you maneuver this process and communicate directly with the insurance on your behalf. Otherwise you will easily allow them to pay you less and save their company money.

As the famous basketball saying goes: “The best defense is a good offense.” A good attorney can act as that offense and help you negotiate for your best interests.

If you or someone you care about has been involved in an accident, feel free to contact Moore Law for a free case evaluation.