People who are injured by the negligence of another and seek an experienced personal injury attorney in Los Angeles and surrounding areas aske similar questions at the outset of a case. In this blog post, I have framed a few common questions and my answers to those questions.
Q. Do I need a personal injury lawyer?
A. If you want to maximize your recovery and ensure that your rights are fully protected, you would be well served by retaining an attorney to represent you. It is true that people have the right to represent themselves in court; however, they are expected to know the rules of Civil Procedure, the Local Rules, the rules of Evidence, and the law in general. Secondly, without training and education, a person representing himself or herself in a lawsuit will be facing a trained, educated professional. So while it is not mandatory to be represented by an attorney in a personal injury claim or lawsuit, prudence dictates that you retain an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Q. If I am injured by another's negligence, do I have to file a lawsuit?
A. No. Proceeding with a lawsuit is always the client's prerogative. Furthermore, the great majority of cases settle before a case even has to be filed.
Q. Should I give a statement to the other party's insurance company?
A. No. Insurance company adjusters are trained and skilled professionals whose job is to protect the company they work for. Giving a recorded statement without the advice of counsel may hurt your case. Statements made to the opposing party's insurance company could constitute admissions that would be admissible in court.
