On a regular basis I tell potential clients that they don’t necessarily need me.  The maximum recovery in small claims court in California has increased to $10,000. If you have a case that is worth $10,000 or less, and you are able to craft an intelligent settlement demand letter with supporting documents, it might make sense for you to attempt to get your case resolved without a lawyer so that you will not have to part with roughly one third of your settlement.

However, how do you know if your case is worth $10,000 or less?  The last person you should trust to answer that question is the insurance claims adjuster for the party at fault. The claims adjuster for the party at fault has a simple job, and that job is to attempt to save his or her employer, (i.e., the insurance company), as much money as possible.  Some of these insurance claims adjusters are friendly and come across as empathetic, but don’t be fooled. They are never your advocate.

So regardless of how big or small you think your case is, or how little an insurance adjuster is offering you to settle your case, it is always a good idea to talk to an experienced car accident lawyer to consider your facts and circumstances and injuries.