(ThyBlackMan.com) Legal procedures can be a daunting experience, especially when figuring out what steps to take. If you got injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you might be wondering how to file a claim for personal injury.
Here is everything you need to know about filing a personal injury claim, including when to hire an attorney and what damages you may be able to recover.
Figure Out If You Can File A Personal Injury Claim
Traffic accidents are the standard type of personal injury accident in the United States.
If you are harmed due to another person’s carelessness, you might be able to file a personal injury claim. To have a valid case, your injury should be caused by the other party’s carelessness or failure to take proper precautions. You need to confirm that the other party is liable for your damages.
Everybody undertakes the legal obligation to keep others reasonably safe from any harm. For example, drivers maintain a duty of care to drive safely and obey traffic laws. If a driver breaches this duty of care and causes an accident, they can be held liable for the resulting injuries. It would be best to show that the other party owed you a duty of care.
If you doubt whether the other party is liable for your injuries, you should speak to a personal injury attorney and seek advice. They will be able to assess your case better and let you know if you have a valid claim.
Determine What Type Of Damages You Are Eligible To Recover
There are two types of damages in a personal injury case.
- Economic – Economic damages are the financial losses you have incurred because of your injuries. These include medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.
- Non-economic – Non-economic damages are the more intangible losses you have suffered, such as pain, trauma, emotional despair, and loss of enjoyment of life.
To determine the type of damages you are eligible to recover, you must consider the severity of the injuries and how they impacted your life. If your injuries are severe and have caused you great pain and suffering, you can recover economic and non-economic damages.
Gather Relevant Evidence For The Accident And Your Injuries
Evidence can include:
- Police reports
- Photographs of the accident and your injuries
- Medical records and bills
- Statements from witnesses to the accident
If you have any questions about what evidence may be relevant to your claim, you should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. A personal injury attorney will help you value your claim.
Log All Accidents On Local Police Reports As Soon As Possible
A report is an important document to have when filing a claim. It is essential to have a copy of the report to show the insurance company that an accident did occur.
Insurance companies will try to reject claims or offer a low settlement if there is no accident documentation. However, if you have been part of an accident, you must act quickly and consult an expert lawyer to help you navigate the process and ensure that you are fairly compensated for your injuries.
What are the Merits of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer?
There are many benefits to hiring a personal injury lawyer. Some of them are explained below:
- You will have someone guide you through the complex legal process.
- You will be able to focus on your recovery while the lawyer handles all the paperwork and communication with insurance companies.
- The lawyer will fight for a fair settlement covering all your damages, including lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
- If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, the lawyer will take the case to trial and fight for you.
- The lawyer will shoulder all the costs of pursuing your claim, so you do not have to pay anything immediately. For example, the lawyer will pay for court filing fees, expert witnesses, and other litigation costs.
- The lawyer will only get paid if you win your case or settle it out of court. Simply put, you do not have to bother about costs upfront.
- You only need to pay the lawyer if you win your case or settle it out of court, and then the lawyer will take a percentage of the settlement as their fee.
Conclusion
Engaging with a personal injury claim lawyer can be in your best interest. They will guide you through the process and tell you what to expect. If you are unsure of the benefits and costs, you can always demand a free consultation session.
Staff Writer; Harry Brown
