Can Someone File A Personal Injury Claim Without A Lawyer?

Apr 22, 2024

Personal injury refers to the physical, emotional, and mental damage to a person rather than to property. You may suffer damages due to the negligence of the other party. However, you might not want to file a personal injury claim through personal injury lawyers Perth, due to the additional costs involved in hiring such professionals. 

With high medical bills and the insurance company not providing you with a sufficient amount to cover the costs, it becomes difficult for you to receive appropriate treatment. The good news is that it is possible to file personal injury cases in Australia. However, a lawyer is more suited to negotiate with the insurance company. 

This website blog will discuss the steps to file a personal injury claim without the assistance of a lawyer.

Steps to file a claim 

A personal injury claim can be filed without the assistance of a lawyer in Australia. Suppose you wish to proceed with your claim without personal injury lawyers Perth. In that case, you will need to gather evidence, calculate the damages, file the claim, and negotiate with the insurance company for a settlement. Below are the steps to file a claim:

Gather Evidence

If you wish to support your claim without the support of personal injury lawyers Perth, you need to gather strong evidence. Some of the elements that can be included as evidence:

The evidence required to prove these aspects includes medical records, police reports, property repair bills, eyewitness statements, and other such paperwork related to the accident or injury.

Calculate your damages

After gathering the evidence and calculating the damages, you can demand compensation from the other party’s insurance company. A demand letter and a document with all the evidence are all that is required to file for compensation. The following are the details that should be included in your demand letter:

Negotiate your settlement

In most situations, the insurance company will not agree to the initial settlement sum demanded in the demand letter. Instead, they will most likely offer you a significantly lower amount, which may be insufficient to cover your losses. If you reject their offer, you will be required to negotiate a reasonable settlement based on the evidence in your case. 

The insurer will do everything to decrease the compensation demanded of them. This could involve manipulating the statements you have made against you, changing the severity of your injuries, or forcing you to accept a low-ball settlement.

File a lawsuit

If you cannot reach an agreement with the insurance company, you may need to file a lawsuit to seek reimbursement. You must submit documentation to the court, pay a filing fee, and meet deadlines or conditions. If your case proceeds to trial, you will have to present your evidence and argue in court. The judge will give the final verdict after listening to both parties.

Benefits of working with a skilled lawyer

The benefits of hiring a personal injury lawyer in Australia are that they will guide you with the legal system and safeguard your rights. A personal injury lawyer understands the legal procedure and can advise you on acts that may endanger your claim. They can guide you on the choices to fight your case, assist you in gathering evidence, and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.

If your case is taken to court, the lawyer will defend you in court and provide you with the best compensation you deserve. Your lawyer will possess access to all the evidence that will help you fight your case, including medical records and testimonies from doctors.

Conclusion

Hence, if you plan to file a personal injury claim without the help of personal injury lawyers Adelaide, you must provide the right evidence, calculate the damages you received, and negotiate terms with the insurance company for a favorable outcome. 

However, it is suggested that you take the help of a lawyer who is experienced and can deal with all the complexities involving the case.