If you have lived in the San Fernando Valley long enough, you have probably been involved in or witnessed an auto accident. If it was what you considered to be a “minor” car accident, you probably figured you didn’t need a lawyer, that you could work it out with the insurance companies. After all, your insurance company is on your side, right? Wrong.
Many people work under the assumption that their insurance company will treat them fairly and have their best interests at heart. So when their insurance company tells the accident victim that they would like to settle the matter and offer a number, the person thinks “this must be what my injuries and property damage were worth.” While that may sometimes be the case, and indeed, you may be able to represent yourself in a car accident claim (click here to learn more about self-representation), it is often not the case.
Just because your own insurance adjuster tells you that you do not need a lawyer does not make it true. Before signing a full and final release in exchange for a settlement offer, make sure that you have obtained the full and rightful financial recovery that you deserve. Even when you think you were hardly injured, it is best to seek an opinion as many injuries pop up down the road, known as later injuries, and can have long-term side effects.
Numbers from the insurance industry have shown that when an experienced attorney becomes involved, the settlement value of a car accident claim increases fourfold. Remember that the next time you are in an auto accident in the San Fernando Valley and your insurance adjuster pushes you to sign away your rights to hire an attorney, or advises 
you against hiring one.
While there are instances where hiring a personal injury attorney is not necessary, the experienced legal team at the San Fernando Valley law offices of Barry P. Goldberg believes it is better to be safe than sorry. For more information on self-representation or to discuss your potential car accident claim with knowledgeable car accident lawyers, contact Barry P. Goldberg today.
