Some adults feel that the viewing of courtroom scenes on television and in movies provides them with the ability to gather a fair amount of legal knowledge. Indeed, a certain percentage of those same adults elect to self-represent themselves during the proceedings in a personal injury case. It never pays to count on a belief that has been based on an unfounded assumption. Accident victims invite risks by choosing not to hire a lawyer, after filing a personal injury claim.
Lawyers know how to analyze evidence
Not every piece of evidence adds the same amount of value to a given case. Some pieces are worth presenting in court or during negotiations. Others can be held back, in order to use for supporting a claim, if necessary. Claimants that try to represent themselves cannot distinguish between the most and least valuable evidence. A Personal Injury Lawyer in St. Albert might also go after the testimony of an expert. Testimony can be used to support a claim. The person that is trying self-representation usually finds it difficult to obtain someone that can offer that sort of testimony.
A lawyer can make an objective assessment of whether or not it seems possible to win a given case.
A lawyer’s objective assessment allows that same professional to form a reasonable picture of the situation. The formation of a reasonable picture works to discourage the formation of unrealistic expectations. It makes no sense to have unrealistic expectations, concerning the chances for winning a legal dispute. The possession of such expectations does not increase your chances for coming out as a winner.
A lawyer can share with a client his or her different options
A client might feel that once negotiations fail, then it becomes necessary to schedule trial proceedings. Yet a lawyer’s experience would allow that professional to realize the wisdom behind the consideration of mediation. If not represented by a member of the legal profession, the claimant in a personal injury case could remain unaware of the fact that a worthwhile option had been overlooked.
Judges pay attention to submitted documents
Both a plaintiff and a defendant can get a judge’s attention by offering a well-phrased letter, one that touches on the key points in their argument. A judge can read it and re-read it, instead of sitting and listening to some rambling testimony. Yet someone without much knowledge of legal language could struggle to compose a good letter.
On the other hand, a lawyer’s experience would allow him or her to dictate a letter, one that contained a client’s argument, to a secretary. It could be typed up, copied and given to the appropriate client. In that way, the value of a lawyer’s representation would become clear to anyone that had previously chosen to question its true worth.