The overwhelming and stressful experience of a car accident is never easy. Dealing with the injuries and the recovery process can be a real challenge for the victims. It is not unusual for injured victims to look for compensation after a crash. Some individuals may try to take their case on their own, thinking they can get compensation and save money in the process. Unfortunately, this way of thinking often ends with devastating results. Can you represent yourself in a car accident lawsuit in Florida? Should you do it? Our car accident attorneys at Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA invite you to keep reading as we answer these critical questions.
Should You Represent Yourself in a Car Accident Lawsuit in Florida?
You may feel tempted to take over your case after going through a Florida car wreck. While nothing in the law can stop you from representing yourself in a civil claim, you may want to reconsider your choices. Car accident claims can be challenging to handle if you have never had the experience. Representing yourself in a car crash claim means you will be in charge of all the different aspects of a lawsuit. This means you will be assuming the role of a lawyer. In other words, you will be in charge of collecting evidence, meeting all filing deadlines, complying with the rules of civil procedure, and satisfying the court’s expectations of professionalism.
Handling a car accident claim requires knowledge, skill, and experience. The courts will not guide you through the process, and they will expect you to understand how to handle your claim. Florida car accidents are known to be complicated and riddled with details. All of these details should be considered and handled carefully. If you miss a critical piece of evidence in your case, you may risk losing your only chance to get compensation.
Over the years, we have learned that car accident injury victims have a better fighting chance to get compensation by hiring an attorney. A Florida car accident lawyer can help you take care of all aspects of your claim. This means collecting all necessary evidence, meeting all filing deadlines, complying with all court rules, and establishing the defendant’s liability and negligence.
Are You Thinking About Representing Yourself in a Car Accident in Florida?
We have already established the macro view of what it means to represent yourself in a car accident in Florida. However, you should consider different elements if you don’t know what you are getting into. The first thing a person representing himself should know is Florida law, especially personal injury law. Personal injury law is a vast law that deals with the wrongful conduct of an individual and the legal remedies available to the victims of such wrongdoing. Of course, this is an oversimplified definition of a complex and nuanced legal area. You should seriously consider hiring an attorney who can help you with the following:
Knowing the Law
If you are thinking about representing yourself after a car crash, you will have to consider the law and all of the elements related to your car accident. For instance, you will be expected to make full use of personal injury law and Florida’s at-fault rules. If you are unfamiliar with both of these terms, it may be a good indication that you should hire an attorney to handle your case.
The court will expect you to show all the elements in your claim. In other words, you will need to prove the defendant’s negligence to get the compensation you need. This means showing your case through the preponderance of the evidence. Failure to prove one of the four elements involved in your claim can be enough to dismiss your case. However, your Miami personal injury attorney can help you avoid this pitfall and avoid costly mistakes.
Knowing How Much Your Case is Worth
You should also have a clear idea of how much your claim is worth and what “damages” you are entitled to receive. It is not enough to step into the court and say, “I was injured, and I demand “X” amount of money.” You should have a clear grasp of the law and have an idea of your case. Not knowing this critical detail on your case can have a significant impact on its outcome. However, a skilled Florida car accident attorney can help you determine what you can expect from your case.
Filing Your Case on Time
A critical aspect in your case involves what is known as the statute of limitations. This statute sets a time limit in which all personal injury victims should file their claims with the court. This law establishes a different time limit depending on the type of claim you decide to file. The most important aspect of this claim is that you must meet its deadline. If you fail to submit your lawsuit because you ran out of time or because you just didn’t know, the court will likely refuse to hear your case, and you will be left without a legal remedy.
As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, nothing in the law stops you from representing yourself after a car crash in Florida. However, the real question you need to answer is: Do you have what it takes to face a civil claim on your own without risking your potential compensation? If you don’t fully understand personal injury law, civil procedure, and everything required to handle your claim adequately, you should reconsider your position. It is always in your best interest to hire a Florida car accident attorney who understands what it takes to handle a case appropriately.
Florida Car Accident Attorney Offering Free Consultations
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident in Florida, we can help. For many years, our personal injury attorneys have handled many car accident claims in Florida and know what it takes to fight for compensation. We are not afraid to face the liable parties and holding them accountable for your losses. We will fight aggressively and strategically to get the compensation you deserve. Don’t wait for another day and contact Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA. To learn more about all of our services, call our law offices today at (305) 694-2676.