What happens if you’re hurt because of another person? What is the legal process to have the best chance of presenting a successful personal injury case? Below, a truck accident lawyer shares more about the legal pathway taken by a successful personal injury case.
Getting Medical Care
The first step in a successful personal injury case is to make sure that you get medical care right away. It doesn’t have to be a trip to the emergency room if you don’t have an actual medical emergency. It’s just fine to go to urgent care, an accident clinic, or even your primary doctor. The key is to seek medical care as soon as possible and to follow all of the treatment protocols provided by medical professionals. You also need to request your medical records at every step of your treatment journey as those can be used as evidence in your case; they will also help determine the compensation you deserve.
Filing A Claim With Insurance
A claim should be filed with the appropriate insurance company. It is important to note that while you should file the claim, you shouldn’t sign anything provided to you by the insurance company without first having it reviewed by a lawyer as our friends at Herschensohn Law Firm, PLLC would advise. You don’t want to sign away valuable legal rights. You also don’t want to settle for less than your claim may be worth.
Finding & Hiring A Lawyer
To help you get your claim through the system successfully, you have the right to find and hire an attorney. A personal injury lawyer generally works on a contingency fee basis. You won’t pay anything up front.
Look for a licensed attorney in your area who is experienced in handling the type of claim you have. For example, if you were involved in a catastrophic accident, you want a lawyer experienced in proving that sort of claim instead of hiring someone who works on more common personal injury claims.
Collecting & Cataloguing Evidence
For your claim to be successful, you must have evidence that supports your position. There are various types of evidence that may be used. Examples may include:
- Photos
- Testimony from witnesses
- Police report or accident report
- Medical records
- Proof of time lost from work
- Proof of medical bills and property damage expenses
Settlement Negotiations
The insurance company, along with the named defendant, may be required by the court to enter into settlement negotiations with you. On one hand, it is often less expensive and takes less time to resolve your claim with a settlement. On the other hand, the insurance company may not want to offer you what your claim is actually worth. This highlights one of many reasons why hiring an attorney could be very beneficial to you.
Going To Trial
Most claims settle instead of going to trial. However, in the event that a trial is a necessity, being represented by an experienced trial attorney is important. They can guide you through every part of the trial experience. Reach out to a lawyer near you to get started today.
