If you have been injured in an accident caused by another person’s negligence, you might be wondering if you can sue them yourself or if you need to hire a Houston personal injury lawyer.
The short answer to your question is – it depends. In some cases, you might be able to represent yourself in a personal injury claim. In some other cases, however, you might need an experienced Houston personal injury lawyer to handle your claim.
What Does the Law Say?
Under Texas law, it is not mandatory for you to be represented by a lawyer in a personal injury case. You can file a claim yourself as a self-represented litigant. However, self representation is generally not advisable, except under certain circumstances.
These include:
· You only suffered minor injuries (cuts, bruises, bumps, sprains, and strains) in the accident.
· There was little to no property damage.
· The other party has accepted that they are liable for your injuries and has agreed to compensate you.
· You have the time to handle the claim.
The truth, however, is that in most cases, the at-fault party will not accept liability. They will almost certainly try to blame you for the accident, especially if they believe that they might have to shell out a substantial amount of money if they are held liable for your injuries. This is why it’s always prudent to have a Houston personal injury lawyer on your side.
The Downsides of Self Representation
One of the biggest risks associated with self representation is that you might not be able to determine the value of your claim. First of all, you might not know the extent of the tangible and intangible losses you suffered in the accident. Second, you might not be able to quantify the intangible losses you suffered in the accident. Only a skilled Houston personal injury lawyer can assess the extent of your injuries and other losses and determine the value of your claim.
Moreover, the at-fault party will almost certainly try to blame you for the accident, as they know that if they can prove that you were 51% at fault, you will not be able to recover any damages from them. In order to prevent such a possibility, you need to produce evidence to support your claim that the accident was caused by the other party’s actions. This is where the expertise of a Houston personal injury lawyer can prove to be invaluable.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can investigate the cause of the accident, work with experts, consult medical professionals, talk to witnesses, and collect the evidence needed to prove that the other party is liable for your injuries.
Choose the Right Houston Personal Injury Lawyer to Represent You
Attorney Dana G. Kirk has been fighting for the rights of injury victims in Houston for over 40 years. A recipient of Martindale-Hubbell’s AV Preeminent Rating, Dana G. Kirk is one of the top-rated personal injury lawyers in the country with a stellar track record and an exceptional success rate.
If you are injured in an accident and not sure what to do next, contact our law firm today. We can review your case free of cost and tell you whether you have a claim against the negligent party.
