Should I Represent Myself in a Personal Injury Case?

There might be a million reasons why you don’t want to seek legal help after an accident, but take it from someone who’s been there before – Taking on a personal injury case by yourself is very, very risky, and you’re much, much more likely to reach a favorable outcome with an attorney at your side, regardless of how simple the case may seem.

Something as complicated and sensitive as a personal injury case shouldn’t be taken lightly. The situation may seem straightforward at the surface level, and you may want to cut some costs, but an unsuccessful personal injury case doesn’t just leave you feeling defeated. Failing to recover compensation you’re legally entitled to forces you to pay out of pocket for something that shouldn’t have occurred in the first place, which can significantly impact your life.

At Morgan and Morgan, there’s no upfront cost to speak with our team, and you pay nothing out of pocket.  And if we don’t win, you owe us nothing at all. Unlike other firms, we take our fee from the favorable settlement or jury award at the end of your case to ensure cost is never a factor in choosing the best representation for your situation.

Asking for help isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it. Complete our free, no-risk case evaluation to get started with our team.

Is It a Good Idea to Represent Yourself After an Accident?

In a large majority of cases, no. You never know what legal hurdles will arise or what challenges the opposing party will throw at you, so it’s recommended to work with someone who’s well-versed in your specific legal situation.

Although it’s difficult to hear, the odds are stacked against you. You have to prove that the opposing party did, in fact, cause your situation through their negligent, careless, or otherwise reckless action. Then, you have to prove that you suffered damages and that those damages are directly related to the opposing party’s actions. Proving all of these burdens together successfully is something that even experienced lawyers have difficulty with, so imagine how challenging it can be for someone with little to no legal background.

Take the proactive step and team up with an experienced lawyer. The cost of losing out on what you’re entitled to almost always outweighs the price of your representation.

What Do You Need to Prove in a Personal Injury Case?

There are four major burdens of proof in personal injury cases:

1. The person who caused the damage (defendant) owed the victim a duty of care
2. The defendant breached that duty of care with their action or lack thereof
3. The victim was injured physically, emotionally, or financially in a qualifying capacity
4. The victim’s injuries were a direct result of the defendant’s breach of their duty of care

If this sounds complicated, it’s because it is. Understanding the above burdens doesn’t even guarantee that you’ll successfully prove them, either. The opposing party will be actively attempting to diminish your argument as well, making it that much more difficult to reach a successful outcome without an experienced attorney.

Don’t Risk Your Future; Contact Morgan and Morgan for No Upfront Fee

In the most difficult moments of your life, Morgan and Morgan has your back. The steps following an accident should be handled carefully and strategically to ensure you’re on the best path to a favorable outcome. Taking this path on your own puts you at risk of making a costly misstep, which can change your life under more serious circumstances.

Our firm is here to help anyone unnecessarily wronged by the action or lack of action by a third party(s). With no upfront fee and no out-of-pocket costs, our team is as accessible as they are powerful, and we’ll never settle for a penny less than you deserve.

Keep your compensation safe. Complete our free, no-obligation case evaluation to get started.