Getting into a car accident is a moment that will forever change your life. Not only are there physical injuries that you’ll need to heal from, but there will also be mental and emotional damage as well. If the accident was due to someone else’s negligence, then working with a car accident attorney in San Antonio is in your best interest.
5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Go to Court Without a Car Accident Attorney in San Antonio
1. You Have Limited Courtroom Experience
The reality of what you’re up against is different than what you see in court dramas and can be incredibly intimidating. Standing before a judge can make even the most self-confident person question themselves, and the other attorney is going to do their best to pick your argument apart.
Having a skilled attorney to represent you in court ensures that you don’t lose your nerve or forget your argument once you step into the courtroom. Having experience is necessary when it comes to getting the best possible outcome for your case.
2. You Have to Meet Strict Deadlines and Have the Proper Paperwork
When taking your case to court, there are strict deadlines for legal proceedings, as well as proper paperwork that has to be filled out. If you miss one deadline or forget a form, things aren’t going to go well for you. Not only could this cause delays, but it could result in your case getting thrown out altogether.
Since you more than likely have other responsibilities that have to take care of during the day, working with a San Antonio car accident attorney is beneficial when it comes to making sure the paperwork is filled out properly and turned in on time.
3. You Have Limited Access to Expert Witnesses
Taking your car accident case to court and proving that the other person was at fault for your injuries requires expert testimony from a wide range of witnesses, including doctors, engineers, safety experts, and others. What these experts say on the stand can make or break your case.
The opposing attorney will have their own expert witnesses working for them to support their case. If you don’t have access to these people, then you are at a disadvantage. Working with an attorney will ensure you have this important access to support your case in the courtroom.
4. Your Negotiation Skills Might be Lacking
A lot of car accident cases are settled out of court. Insurance companies are for-profit businesses, which means that they will try to get out of paying for your expenses. They also don’t want to spend a lot of money—or time—in courtrooms. They will offer you a settlement that is more than likely lower than what you want or need.
Unfortunately, if you don’t have the skills and experience to know how much your case is worth, you might be willing to settle for a lowball amount. Working with someone who has top-notch negotiation skills and understands the unique attributes of your case—and what it’s worth—ensures you get the compensation you deserve.
5. You Lack Legal Knowledge
It’s possible that you can obtain the necessary legal knowledge to argue your car accident case in court, but that is going to take time. If you have other responsibilities, then adding one more thing to your plate could be incredibly stressful and frustrating. In addition, there might be some obscure point of law that you didn’t find in your research that could change the outcome of your case.
Even if you’re an incredibly intelligent individual and you are well-prepared for your case, there still may be small details that arise that you weren’t aware of. Working with a professional who has seen a variety of different cases and their outcomes is in your best interest, as it could be the difference between winning and losing in court.
Give Yourself a Fighting Chance
It can take a lot of time to gain the legal knowledge necessary to fight your case in court, and there’s no guarantee it will be time well spent. Save yourself a lot of aggravation and potential heartache by spending your precious time focused on other matters, such as family or healing, and let a professional worry about the best way to argue your case.
Getting into a car accident will have a profound impact on your life, and if it was someone else’s fault, you should hold them responsible. However, when taking your car accident case to court, you need to make sure you are working with a professional attorney. No matter how smart you are or how much time you can dedicate to your case, there will still be things that arise that only a professional will be able to address and handle.
