Jacksonville AR
Personal Injury Lawyer

Skilled Personal Injury Lawyers Serving Jacksonville, Arkansas

Many people question whether it’s necessary to hire a professional personal injury lawyer in Jacksonville, AR, or if they should handle their case on their own to save money. While the court and the law do allow individuals to represent themselves in personal injury cases—referred to as appearing “pro se”—there are certain situations where representing yourself may not be feasible or advisable, such as:

• Suing for a corporation
• Suing on behalf of your child
• Filing a class-action lawsuit

When you choose to represent yourself in a personal injury claim, you are responsible for filing, managing, and directing your case on your own. However, it’s important to understand that proceeding without the assistance of a Jacksonville, AR personal injury lawyer can be quite risky. By doing so, you forgo the valuable expertise, guidance, and support that a professional attorney can provide throughout the process.

Filing A Pro Se Personal Injury Claim: The Process

Choosing to represent yourself in a personal injury case requires you to handle every aspect of your claim on your own. Your first step will be submitting your claim to the appropriate clerk’s office and paying the necessary filing fee. From there, you’ll need to begin building a comprehensive file containing all the evidence to support your case, such as medical records, police reports, and any other relevant documentation.

Once you file your claim, you will take on the role of the plaintiff, while the individual or parties you are suing will be referred to as the defendant.

Chances are that the other party will have a professional lawyer representing their interest.

The defendant’s attorney may request that you provide a personal injury deposition and submit all relevant documents as required by the rules of legal discovery. Initially, your case will have an opportunity to settle out of court. However, if a fair agreement cannot be reached, the case will proceed to trial.

The Dangers of Accepting the First Settlement Offer

By accepting the initial settlement offer instead of pursuing a court trial, you agree to a specific amount to resolve your case. Having a Jacksonville, AR personal injury lawyer by your side during this process can be incredibly valuable, as they will handle all critical steps on your behalf, including:

• Your attorney will thoroughly evaluate your current and future medical expenses to ensure you have the necessary funds to continue essential treatments until you fully recover.
• They will also accurately calculate all your financial losses, including income lost due to your inability to return to work right away.

Accepting an initial settlement offer can put you at risk of receiving less compensation than you rightfully deserve. A personal injury attorney can help ensure you secure the full amount needed to cover your recovery and expenses. However, even with an attorney by your side, the final decision to accept or reject an offer will always be yours.

It’s also important to keep in mind that representing yourself in a personal injury claim doesn’t mean the opposing party will do the same. You will likely face a trained professional who has access to extensive resources that you may not, putting you at a significant disadvantage.

What Qualifies as a Personal Injury Claim

Not all injuries you endure entitle you to file a personal injury claim. You may have a chance for a personal injury case if you were injured in the following ways:

• You were injured due to someone else’s reckless driving, an accident that could have been prevented by the at-fault party.
• You sustained injuries caused by a defect in the manufacturing or design of a consumer product.
• You suffered harm from an assault or battery, even if the offender did not intend to cause severe injury.

Opting to represent yourself in a personal injury lawsuit means you will bear the full responsibility of proving that the party you are suing is liable for your damages and accountable for covering all your injury-related expenses.

You Cannot Be As Good And Effective As A Professional

In every lawsuit, there is a complainant and a prosecutor. Prosecutors are experienced professionals who are well-versed in courtroom procedures and legal terminology, giving them an advantage in presenting a strong case. If you choose to represent yourself, you take on the role of the complainant. Judges are aware that complainants often lack formal legal training and may be unfamiliar with the rules and regulations that govern court proceedings. As a result, judges typically prefer dealing with prosecutors over complainants in a court setting. Additionally, representing yourself without the guidance of a professional Jacksonville, AR personal injury lawyer can lead to unnecessary setbacks or mistakes, potentially delaying the resolution of your claim.

Many people assume that simply speaking with an insurance adjuster will resolve their issues and lead to a fair settlement. However, it’s important to understand that an insurance adjuster’s primary role is to minimize the amount they pay out, often offering you less than what you deserve—or even denying your claim if they can justify it. To secure a fair settlement, it’s wise to hire a professional attorney. An experienced lawyer can help you prepare a strong demand that increases the likelihood of approval from the insurance provider.

If you want to secure fair compensation and justice for your claim, handling the case on your own is not advisable. While you can remain actively involved in the process if it’s important to you, it’s always best to let professionals manage the critical aspects. Their expertise can significantly increase your chances of achieving the outcome you desire.

Get The Legal Assistance You Need

Everyone has the right to file a personal injury claim against an individual whose careless, negligent, or reckless actions caused them physical harm. You also have the legal right to represent yourself in court against the responsible party. However, self-representation may not be the best choice if you are seeking fair and adequate compensation.

Our professionals from Pfeifer Law Firm have years of expertise working on personal injury cases for our clients. Moreover, our team has all training they need to know their way around the legal system and help you get the claim you deserve. Call us to schedule your free consultation right away! With our help and expert guidance, you can easily win your personal injury case as quickly as possible and go back to recovering from your injuries or damages.