There is little reason not to retain an attorney. While you are free to pursue a claim on your own, there are numerous challenges associated with doing so. Insurance companies hope that many victims will not hire an attorney because they know most people do not understand what rights they might have under California statutes. They also know that they might get you to settle for a lower amount that you might accept if you have an attorney involved. Keep in mind, insurance companies have attorneys who are working on their behalf. These attorneys are there to protect the insurer. To level the playing field, you need someone who will serve as your advocate during negotiations. Remember, an insurer will use numerous tactics to lower your potential settlement. For example, if you suffer a back injury during a Fresno car accident, they will scour your medical records looking for prior history of back problems and claim your injury was the result of a pre-existing condition and not a result of the car accident. This is just one example of some methods that may reduce the amount of compensation you collect for your injuries. Hiring an attorney quickly after a car accident helps protect your legal rights. In addition, if the insurance company refuses to negotiate a reasonable settlement, your attorney will be prepared to go to court to fight on your behalf.