Potential clients often call and say, my case is simple, my car was hit, or I fell in the store, the other person was at fault, why do I need an attorney, he is just going to take a percentage of my settlement. They insist they can handle it themselves. True, and yet potentially very unwise.

You may be causing yourself considerable harm. You may sign a release that is unwise for you to be signing. You may be settling your claim prematurely. You may be under valuing your claim. You may be giving up important legal rights that you do not intend to give up, or wouldn’t give up if you had the proper legal advice. An experienced attorney can help you avoid these potential pitfalls.

Let’s assume that you or a loved one is in a serious accident; the other driver who causes your accident has insurance coverage with modest limits of only $10,000 of liability coverage. You receive a general release, from their insurance carrier, to sign to obtain the $10,000 settlement; after all you do not have to share it with an attorney. This could be a very costly mistake. You may have had UM (Uninsured Motorist) Coverage on your own policy and have signed away the rights to make a claim for it. Proper legal counsel could have provided you with competent advice, and protected your interests.

The insurance industry spends mega bucks advertising. Trying to convince you that they are there for you. You are supposedly either in their good hands, or they are like your good neighbor, or they are the friendly green gecko, all nifty slogans and marketing symbols. They may even rush to the scene of the accident, while you are still there. All to protect you? Highly unlikely, rather they are there to protect themselves to limit the claims they pay.

Should you negotiate your claim with an insurance claims adjuster, without the assistance of an attorney? Would you perform a medical procedure on yourself without the benefit of a trained medical specialist? Not a wise idea either. Dealing with a claims adjuster, who is a trained professional, is not prudent. His sole purpose is to settle claims for the lowest cost to his employer, the insurance carrier; he is not there to represent your best interests. Negotiating alone, you are at a distinct disadvantage.

Please remember, that the insurance company is in the business of settling claims for the lowest possible cost to the company. They are served by adjusters who are professionals at limiting the claims they pay. In actual negotiations it is a classic mismatch. No matter how friendly the adjuster sounds, always remember, his loyalty is to his employer, the insurance company. His goal is to save them the maximum he can save, not to maximize your claim.

Remember the following questions: Do you really know the true value of your claim? Do you really know what you are signing when the settlement papers are thrust before you? Are your medical bills being paid properly? Are you receiving all the benefits you are entitled to? All of this should be part of what the attorney does to assist you.

My office handles all types of personal injury cases, and I have done so for over 37 years.  My office is conveniently located in Pembroke Pines.  It is located at 9000 Sheridan Street – Suite 4, Pembroke Pines, Florida. I welcome your calls to my office (954) 441-5077 or my cell phone at any time (954) 801-0352 to assist you if you have had any type of accident, criminal offense, or to discuss with you any legal questions or problems.