Under California law, if you have been injured in a car accident, you can file a lawsuit on your own. But, is it a good idea to represent yourself? Our car accident attorneys would strongly recommend against it, for several reasons. First, in order to file such a lawsuit, one must have a thorough knowledge of California state law and courtroom proceedings. You must know how to gather, compile and present evidence, which proves the elements of your personal injury claim. You must also know how to secure testimony from eyewitnesses and experts. It is also important to understand that a vast majority of car accident claims are settled out of court. So you must be a skilled negotiator in order to obtain the best possible settlement in your case.