Can You Handle a Car Accident Case Without a Lawyer? Pros and Cons for Virginia Beach Residents

The Pros of Handling a Car Accident On Your Own 

Handling a car accident on your own—without a lawyer—can have a few potential advantages: 

1. Cost Savings: You avoid attorney fees, often a percentage of your settlement in car accident cases. 

1. Speed: Direct negotiation with the insurance company may resolve the claim faster if the case is straightforward and low-stakes. 

1. Simplicity: In minor accidents with no injuries and clear fault, managing the process yourself might be sufficient and less complicated. 

However, these benefits rely on the absence of serious injuries or those with delayed onset symptoms (e.g., concussions, whiplash), as well as disputes over liability or insurance complications—all of which often emerge in the days or weeks after the accident.  

The Disadvantages: You May Not Realize the Full Value of Your Claim 

While it may be tempting to handle your car accident claim without legal help—especially if the case seems minor—doing so can expose you to serious financial and legal risks. Many people understandably focus on immediate costs like medical bills and car repairs. But those are only part of the picture. 

A skilled attorney looks beyond short-term expenses to assess the full scope of your damages. This might include immediate medical bills and the projected costs of future care—such as surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, rehabilitation, prescription medications, medical devices, in-home care, and follow-up visits with specialists.