Potential Mistakes if You Do Not Have a Personal Injury Attorney on Your Side

June 27, 2025

You want an experienced attorney in your corner to make sure you get the compensation you deserve for the injuries you have sustained.

Accidents often feel like one-time events, but the consequences ripple far beyond the crash itself. Physical pain might be immediate, but financial stress, emotional strain, and endless paperwork can stretch on for months or even years. If you try to handle all of that on your own, you could wind up with less compensation than you need – or none at all. Without a personal injury attorney guiding your steps, small decisions can lead to major setbacks.

 

At Sarkisian Law Offices, we do not rush you into signing anything. We encourage many people to take a day or two before deciding whether to work with us. That approach is rare in this field, but we believe it sets the tone for everything else.

 

You are not just a case to us. You are a person living through a difficult season, and we want you to feel confident in the team you choose to represent you. A skilled personal injury lawyer with our office is ready to tell you more.


Misjudging the Value of Your Claim

No matter how confident you feel about your accident, placing a dollar figure on your suffering is more complicated than it looks. Many people think compensation only includes medical bills and lost wages, but that only scratches the surface. Pain, future treatment, mobility limitations, and long-term job changes can all influence what your claim is actually worth. Without a personal injury lawyer analyzing those details, your number may fall far short of reality.

 

An attorney will not rely on guesswork. Instead, they will consider the full scope of your losses – economic and otherwise – before discussing any potential settlement. That process does not come from a template. At Sarkisian Law Offices, we study your situation with care, not just to fight for fair compensation but to avoid leaving anything out. It is not uncommon for someone to underestimate what they are owed until we explain just how much a life-changing injury can cost – now and later.

 

If you settle without help, you could waive your right to additional compensation down the line. Insurance companies count on that. Their goal is to settle quickly, not thoroughly. You might think you are being proactive by agreeing to early terms. In truth, you could be cutting off your options without realizing it.


Overlooking Critical Deadlines

Each state has deadlines that control how long you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. Miss that window, and your legal options disappear, no matter how legitimate your injury is. That time limit can be shorter than people expect, and it varies depending on who was involved in the accident. If a government agency or municipal vehicle played a role, the window could shrink even further.

 

A personal injury attorney will keep track of every relevant deadline and statute that applies to your case. Furthermore, they will establish the legal foundation immediately, preserving evidence before it becomes unavailable or deteriorates. At Sarkisian Law Offices, we believe that timing affects every outcome. The sooner we can begin reviewing your accident, the more opportunities we will have to hold the responsible parties accountable.

 

Without a legal representative, you might assume you have time to “wait and see.” But waiting comes at a cost, especially when the burden of proof rests on your shoulders. Medical records, witness statements, surveillance footage, and other time-sensitive documentation could slip away. An attorney will not let that happen.


Letting Insurance Carriers Control the Conversation

Insurance adjusters are not your advocates. They work for the carrier, and their loyalty lies with minimizing payouts, not helping you heal. Their tone might seem helpful at first. That’s intentional. They want you to feel comfortable enough to speak freely, not realizing that your words could be used against you.

 

Once you hire a personal injury lawyer, that changes. The carrier must speak to your attorney instead of contacting you directly. From that point forward, you will no longer be the one managing uncomfortable conversations or decoding legal jargon on your own. Sarkisian Law Offices takes that burden off your plate, allowing you to focus on your health while we focus on the law.


Missing the Signs of a Bad-Faith Settlement

Some insurance companies play by the rules. Others do not. If an insurer denies your claim without reason, delays unreasonably, or offers a laughably low settlement, that could be a sign of bad faith. These tactics are more common than people realize, and without legal guidance, you may not know when a company is bending the rules.

 

A personal injury attorney will recognize bad-faith behavior when they see it. They will call it out and hold the insurer accountable, whether through negotiation or legal action. At Sarkisian Law Offices, we do not tolerate dishonest tactics.

 

Trying to deal with bad-faith practices on your own can feel like walking through a maze without a map. It’s easy to get turned around. A lawyer will break that cycle, make your rights clear, and help you move forward with clarity and control.

 

Accepting the First Offer Without Knowing Your Options

Settlement offers can be tempting, especially when medical bills pile up and your income stops coming in. But the first number you see is rarely the best one. Insurance companies often lead with a lowball offer, betting that you are not confident enough to push back.

 

An attorney will recognize when a settlement falls short. They will advise you not to accept anything that undervalues your future. Sarkisian Law Offices has spent years reviewing offers, not to pressure clients into a settlement but to give them the honest truth about what is – and is not – fair. We will explain what’s at stake and walk you through the legal avenues available if negotiations fall through.

 

Without a personal injury lawyer offering perspective, you may assume the offer is standard or final. It rarely is. Accepting it too soon can leave you with no way to request more later, even if your condition worsens or your costs increase.


A Skilled Personal Injury Attorney Will Help You Avoid These Mistakes

Let a Sarkisian Law Offices personal injury lawyer handle the legal complications so you can focus on getting better as quickly as possible. Schedule your complimentary consultation by contacting us online.


September 12, 2025
When you've been injured in a car accident caused by someone else's negligence, you deserve fair compensation for your losses. However, getting the maximum settlement from insurance companies is rarely straightforward. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and often take advantage of accident victims who don't understand their rights or the true value of their claims. This is where an experienced car accident attorney becomes invaluable. At Sarkisian Law Offices , we understand the tactics insurance companies use, and we know how to counter them effectively to maximize your car accident claim. Our team has helped countless accident victims recover the full compensation they deserve, and we're committed to fighting for your rights every step of the way. Understanding the True Value of Your Car Accident Claim Don't settle for the first offer from auto insurance companies, as it's often far below your claim's worth. A skilled car accident lawyer evaluates your claim comprehensively, considering all the ways the accident has affected your life. They work with medical experts to project future medical needs, ensuring your settlement covers ongoing treatment and rehabilitation. They also calculate lost wages and reduced earning capacity, including long-term impacts. Additionally, lawyers effectively document and present pain and suffering claims, demonstrating the accident's impact on your quality of life. By hiring an experienced attorney, they'll seek fair compensation for both tangible and intangible losses. This approach helps you receive the maximum settlement you deserve, covering current and future needs. How Insurance Companies Try to Reduce Your Settlement Insurance adjusters are not on your side, despite how friendly and helpful they may seem. Their job is to save their company money by paying out as little as possible on claims. One of the most common tactics is to make a quick settlement offer before you fully understand the extent of your injuries or have had time to consult with an attorney. These offers are almost always far below the true value of your claim, but they're presented as generous and time-sensitive to pressure you into accepting. Insurance companies often claim that your medical treatment was unnecessary, excessive, or unrelated to the accident. They may argue that you had pre-existing conditions that caused your current problems, or that you're exaggerating your symptoms. They also might use delay tactics, hoping financial pressure will force you to accept a lower settlement. The insurers may claim they need more documentation, request unnecessary medical examinations, or simply take their time responding to communications. Insurers might try to blame you for the accident, as partial blame allows them to reduce their liability and your compensation. Never accept wrongful accusations of blame, as it can deprive you of what you deserve. When you have a car accident attorney handling your case, these delay tactics become less effective. Your lawyer can apply pressure to move the case forward and ensure that delays don't work against you. The Investigation Process That Builds Strong Cases One of the most important ways a car accident lawyer maximizes your claim is with a thorough investigation. The more evidence your attorney can gather to support your case, the stronger your position becomes in settlement negotiations. Accident Scene Analysis Even if the police investigated your accident, your attorney will conduct their own investigation. This might include visiting the accident scene, taking photographs, measuring skid marks, and identifying factors contributing to the crash. Sometimes this investigation reveals evidence that wasn't included in the police report, such as traffic signal timing, road conditions, or visibility issues that help prove the other driver's fault. Witness Statements Witness testimony can be invaluable in car accident cases, especially when there's a dispute about how the accident happened. However, witness memories fade over time, and people move away or become harder to contact. Car accident attorneys move quickly to identify and interview witnesses while their memories are still fresh. They know how to ask the right questions to get useful information and how to document witness statements in a way that will be persuasive to insurance companies or juries. Expert Analysis Complex car accident cases often require expert testimony to explain technical aspects of the crash, such as vehicle speeds, impact forces, or mechanical failures. Car accident lawyers have relationships with qualified experts who can analyze the evidence and provide professional opinions that support your case. This expert analysis is particularly important in cases involving serious injuries, commercial vehicles, or disputed fault situations. Negotiation Skills That Get Results Insurance companies negotiate car accident settlements every day. They have experienced adjusters and attorneys who know how to minimize payouts. To get fair compensation, you need someone on your side who understands the negotiation process just as well. Presenting a Compelling Case Effective negotiation starts with presenting your case in the strongest possible way. This means organizing all the evidence, medical records, and documentation in a format that clearly shows the other driver's responsibility and the full extent of your damages. Car accident attorneys know how to present this information persuasively, highlighting the strongest aspects of your case while addressing any potential weaknesses before the insurance company can exploit them. Understanding Settlement Timing Knowing when to negotiate and when to wait is vital in car accident cases. Settling too early might mean accepting less compensation than you deserve, but waiting too long can sometimes weaken your position. Experienced car accident lawyers understand the factors that affect settlement timing and can advise you on the best strategy for your specific situation. Leverage in Negotiations Insurance companies are more likely to offer fair settlements when they know you're represented by an attorney who's willing and able to take the case to trial if necessary. This gives your lawyer leverage in negotiations you wouldn't have on your own. Choose Sarkisian Law Offices to Maximize Your Indiana Car Accident Claim Sarkisian Law Offices, maximizes compensation in car accident claims by understanding the local legal system and building strong cases. We take a personal interest in each case, working on a contingency fee basis, so you only pay legal fees if we win. We'll protect your rights, handle legal details, and fight for the settlement you deserve. Contact us today at 219-942-7171 or online to learn how we can pursue the compensation you need to move forward. Let us advocate for you while you focus on recovering from your accident.
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