Read This before You File a Lawsuit Pro Se - Facts from a New York City Accident Attorney

Written by
Abraham Jaros
|
Updated on Wednesday, Nov 22, 2023

Although car accident victims have the right to represent themselves during settlement negotiations and litigation, this is rarely a good idea. Even a small mistake can compromise your lawsuit, and settling for less than you deserve can lead to crippling debt. This is where an accident attorney can help.

According to the American Bar, pro se litigants are at a distinct disadvantage in the justice system. They often have little understanding of legal rules, procedures and practices. If you were injured due to another person’s negligence in New York, then contact Jaroslawicz & Jaros, PLLC. A New York City auto accident lawyer can help you navigate the legal system and aggressively fight for the maximum compensation. Contact us today to schedule a consultation. Until then, read on to learn five reasons why you should hire an auto accident attorney to handle your claim:

  1. Gather Strong Evidence

Quality evidence is the basis of every successful personal-injury claim. The majority of pro se litigants do not collect the right evidence or present it effectively, often because they do not understand how to prove liability. Medical records, expense lists, witnesses and police reports are just a few examples of evidence that can strengthen your claim.

  1. Handle Settlement Negotiations

The majority of personal-injury cases never go to court. Most plaintiffs prefer to settle as quickly as possible. Court requires time, resources and money, which few can afford; however, there are certain circumstances when it is best to take a case to trial. Your accident attorney will know if this is a smart decision and can handle your litigation.

  1. Avoiding Mistakes

Strict administrative rules and procedures exist in the justice system. If you do not adhere to them, then you may lose eligibility for compensation. The statute of limitations is possibly the most important of these rules. You have to file your lawsuit within a certain timeframe. If you are late, then the court will likely dismiss your claim.

  1. Avoid Federal Court

Traditionally, federal courts are friendlier to defendants than state courts. For this reason, you should avoid federal court. It is likely that the other party will try to take your case to federal court because it may work to his or her advantage. You should not let this happen. An auto accident lawyer will know how to counteract this move from the defendant and his or her legal and insurance teams.

  1. Represent Your Interests

When subjected to the potential loss of huge sums of money in a lawsuit, most defendants hire a defense lawyer. It is likely that he or she will use aggressive legal tactics to intimidate you. The goal of a defense attorney is to get you to settle for less or to discredit your claim entirely, usually through discoveries, trial and motions. You should get your own lawyer so you are not at a disadvantage. Without a New York City accident attorney to fight for your interests, you may end up recovering less compensation than you deserve - or none at all. If your injury happened in New York, then contact Jaroslawicz & Jaros, PLLC to discuss your options.

Get the advice and guidance you and your family need

You do not have to go through this alone.

At Jaroslawicz & Jaros, we have over 40 years of experience helping accident victims in New York recover compensation. The clients we represent benefit from the personal attention of our knowledgeable and experienced attorneys.

We Have Recovered Over $2 Billion for Our Clients.

The attorneys at Jaroslawicz & Jaros have obtained verdicts and settlements of over $1 Million for hundreds of our individual clients. Since all New York personal injury law firms generally charge the same legal fee why not hire an experienced law firm with a proven track record?

When you retain the New York City accident lawyers at Jaroslawicz & Jaros, you will always work directly with your lawyer, and not with a paralegal or secretary. We will always be available to you! Our hundreds of positive client reviews and testimonials speak for themselves.

Experience and a track record of results

Contact the attorneys at Jaroslawicz & Jaros for a free legal consultation regarding your rights and your legal options. If we agree to handle your case, we will work on a contingency fee basis so that you don’t have to worry about any upfront costs.

Contact us today for a free consultation

Picture of Abraham Jaros

You can reach partner Abraham Jaros directly, either call his cell 917-842-9544, or email him at ajaros@lawjaros.com. Or call Jaroslawicz & Jaros at 212 227 2780 in New York, or toll free 800-269-2780, or submit an online questionnaire.