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

