Whether you’re suing for damages or defending yourself against a lawsuit, a substantial sum of money may be at stake in a personal injury case. Approaching the situation without adequate preparation is a sure way to lose at least a large sum of that money. Without knowing every necessary fact for making your case as strong as it can be, you’re setting yourself up for a loss, regardless of which side of the case you’re on.

It’s a lot easier to walk into the expensive pitfalls of unpreparedness in your personal injury case when you don’t have an experienced attorney to consult. A lawyer can help you identify many of these risks as early as your first meeting with them, as well as assist you in navigating them as the case unfolds. There’s an inherent risk that comes with either side of a personal injury case, but an experienced lawyer is your best bet at mitigating it.

What kinds of mistakes can an attorney help you avoid as they assist you in building your case and represent you through its most critical developments? In this blog post, our team of Wilmington, NC personal injury lawyers will outline a few of the potential problems an attorney can help you avoid, including the risks associated with representing yourself, speaking with the insurers of anyone else involved in the case, and more.

Mistake #1: Representing yourself

In some states, as many as 90% of people may face the litigation process without a lawyer. The danger associated with continuing your case without an attorney varies depending on the nature of the case and which side of it you’re on. If you’re the one being sued, your risk level is significant and losing the case is a much more likely proposition, especially if the plaintiff has an attorney representing them.

If, on the other hand, you’re the plaintiff in a personal injury case, not having a lawyer puts you at risk of missing out on compensation you may be entitled to. Depending on the nature of the case, this can either be a major disappointment or, in a situation that may involve thousands of dollars in medical bills, repair costs, or other fees, a serious threat to your financial stability.

Mistake #2: Speaking with the other parties’ insurers

In a personal injury case, there’s virtually no situation in which you’re required to communicate with anyone else’s insurers but your own.

While it’s essential for you to get in touch with your own insurer as soon as possible after the incident has occurred, it’s rarely beneficial for you to do the same with anyone else’s. In fact, it’s likely that they’ll try to take advantage of this mistake and get information out of you that can be used to weaken your case and deprive you of money you’re entitled to that they’d be responsible for paying out.

Mistake #3: Misunderstanding or ignoring laws most relevant to your case

The best reason to hire a lawyer is for their legal expertise. That means not only knowing what’s legally relevant to your case, but also how to use it to maximum effect. While you may be able to develop a level of legal understanding of your case before trial, it’s quicker, easier, and more effective to get an attorney’s help.

Mistake #4: Obtaining inadequate evidence and other material in your defense

Few things can weaken your case more than insufficient evidence to back up your claims. Talking to a lawyer, ideally as soon as possible after your incident, can help you quickly identify what you’ll need to cover as many of your bases as possible.

Mistake #5: Suing for less than you could realistically receive

A lawyer isn’t just a great resource for legal expertise and argumentative skill relevant to your case. They can also help you understand how much money you could actually be entitled to under your specific circumstances.

If you’re ready to talk to a personal injury lawyer about your case, Rodzik Law Group can help. Contact us now to schedule a consultation.