Should I Represent Myself Pro Se in My Palmdale Car Accident Case? Here’s What Palmdale Plaintiffs Need to Know about Self-Representation in Court
When a person is injured in a serious car accident in Palmdale due to another driver’s negligent driving, they may wonder what their rights and options are when it comes to compensation. The truth is that under California civil personal injury laws, victims of negligent car accidents in Palmdale may be entitled to compensation for their injuries and losses, such as medical expenses, compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and more.
A Palmdale car accident victim must bring a case in civil court in order to potentially cover money compensation for their injuries related to a negligent car accident. In order to assist them, Palmdale car accident victims may decide to work with a lawyer who can fight for them to get compensation due under California laws. However, some Palmdale car accident victims may choose not to work with a Palmdale car accident lawyer, and instead, may decide to file a claim for compensation themselves in court. Is this a good idea? Here we examine pro se representation and whether it is a good idea in your Palmdale car accident case.
What is Pro Se Representation in a Palmdale Car Accident Case?
Black’s Law Dictionary defines pro se as Latin for “For himself; in his own behalf; in person.” Simply put, representing oneself pro se means to forgo the representation of a lawyer, and, instead, to appear in court by oneself. Sometimes pro se representation is dramatized in the movies. In movies, pro se litigants are sometimes portrayed as being very confident in their ability to represent themselves in front of a judge and with the ins-and-outs of the law.
Pros and Cons of Pro Se Representation
Pro se representation is typically not advisable. Without knowing the court rules and the laws that govern the particular claim or claims at issue, as well as the court procedure, initiating and litigating a lawsuit can be a very difficult battle. In addition, without the experience of a lawyer, a pro se litigant may not know the value of their claim and, accordingly, may not be able to make strategic decisions to benefit their case. In sum, while pro se litigation may not cost a personal injury car accident victim money, it may cost them their case or the best result possible if they are not familiar with the law and do not know how to litigate it.
Choosing a Law Firm to Represent You in Your Palmdale Car Accident Case
In addition to the fact that an experienced Palmdale car accident lawyer can be an invaluable asset in your Palmdale car accident case, the truth of the matter is that some Palmdale car accident lawyers also charge nothing up front to represent you in your case. The experienced Palmdale car accident lawyers at the Trevino Law Firm offer a free and confidential consultation to learn about your case and they only get paid if they recover compensation for you. Contact the Trevino Law Firm today and speak to an experienced Palmdale car accident lawyer about your case for free.
