After an accident, you may feel like your life has been turned upside down. You could be staring at a stack of medical bills, juggling the costs of car repairs, and worrying about the paychecks you have missed while recovering. On top of all that stress, you may wonder whether it is possible to handle a pain and suffering claim on your own to avoid paying a lawyer.
The truth is that while you technically can pursue a pain and suffering claim without a lawyer, doing so often means leaving money on the table or ending up with nothing at all. Insurance companies know how to use the system to minimize what they owe, and without skilled legal help, you are at a serious disadvantage.
So, do I need a lawyer for a personal injury claim? Before exploring that option, read on to see why a free consultation with an attorney might be better for you.
What to Expect in a Free Consultation
When you schedule a free consultation with a personal injury attorney in Washington like Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner, you sit down with someone who has handled thousands of claims like yours.
During that meeting, you explain:
- What happened in the accident,
- The injuries you suffered, and
- How those injuries have impacted your life.
We will listen closely, ask focused questions, and begin to assess the strengths and weaknesses of your case. We will let you know if we are a good fit for your claim. If we aren’t, we’ll be honest with you. Because of our contingency fee structure, we don’t pressure you to hire us.
Our Contingency Fee Structure
Many people hesitate to contact an attorney because they imagine heavy hourly fees or large up-front retainers. At Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner, we work on a contingency fee structure. We only get paid if we win your case through settlement or a trial verdict. Our payment is a percentage of the recovery, never as an upfront cost out of your pocket.
While the claim is ongoing, you pay:
- No retainer,
- No hourly rates, and
- No case expenses.
This arrangement levels the playing field because you can stand toe-to-toe with insurance companies without taking on financial risk.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Personal Injury Claim: Major Obstacles to Consider
Pain and suffering claims aren’t easy. Many complexities can trip up someone who is pursuing one without a lawyer.
Calculating Damages
Putting a dollar figure on physical pain, emotional distress, and long-term impacts is not as straightforward as adding up receipts. Insurance companies often rely on internal formulas that minimize what you are truly experiencing.
An experienced attorney will know about these formulas and how to build the evidence and arguments needed to maximize your claim. Without that knowledge, you may accept a settlement that falls far short of what your suffering is worth.
Medical Expertise
To prove pain and suffering, medical records are crucial. Sometimes you also need testimony from medical experts who can explain why your injuries cause the specific symptoms and limitations you live with.
Personal injury lawyers can help you:
- Identify which records matter most,
- Obtain them in the right form, and
- Secure credible medical experts.
This can be a difficult process for someone unfamiliar with personal injury law. Insurance companies employ their own medical experts whose job is to downplay and dispute your injuries. You need a fully staffed legal team to stand toe-to-toe with them and counter with your own medical experts.
Comparative Fault
Washington follows a comparative fault system. Even if you prove pain and suffering, the insurance company can argue that you share responsibility for the accident. For example, if they convince a court or adjuster that you were 20% at fault, your compensation gets cut by that same percentage.
Insurance adjusters have training on how to look for ways to shift blame onto you. A personal injury attorney can push back against these tactics.
The Unique Value We Bring to Your Claim
Handling a pain and suffering claim without a personal injury lawyer may seem like a way to save money, but it often leads to a lower payout. At Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner, we are experienced and effective in resolving claims for our clients.
Our Decades-Long Track Record
We have represented injured people in Washington for decades, and insurance companies know our name. They have often faced us across negotiation tables and in courtrooms, and they recognize that we do not back down. That history gives your claim weight from the very beginning because insurers understand that we will not accept lowball offers.
We Do All the Work
A pain and suffering claim requires constant attention to detail. The to-do list includes:
- Communications with the insurance adjuster,
- Requests for medical records,
- Gathering accident evidence, and
- Tracking strict deadlines.
When you hire us, we take on every task. You can focus on healing while we ensure that your case moves forward and that every procedural step is handled properly.
Threat of Lawsuit
Insurance companies know that many individuals who file claims without a lawyer have no real way to follow through on a lawsuit threat. That makes negotiation easier for them, because they can offer less without fear of trial.
When you hire Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner, that calculation changes. We have a long history of filing and winning lawsuits. We are fully prepared to escalate the case into litigation if negotiations do not produce a fair outcome. That credible threat makes a significant difference in settlement negotiations.
Call Us Today
After an accident, your main priority should be healing. You should not have to spend your energy battling insurance companies or second-guessing whether you have done enough to protect your financial future.
By calling Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner, you give yourself the peace of mind knowing a proven team is handling the fight for you. Our attorneys have earned recognition from the Super Lawyers program multiple times and hold a 10 out of 10 rating on Avvo.com. We built those reputations by securing meaningful results for people in situations just like yours.
Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward recovering the compensation you need to rebuild your life.
