|
|
(HealthNewsDigest.com) – If you’ve been injured by somebody else’s negligence, it’s a good idea to file a personal injury claim to help protect yourself.
While money can’t undo what has happened, it can help you make up for lost time and productivity, not to mention suffering and reduced quality of life.
It’s perfectly reasonable to file a claim, but it’s important to know how to protect yourself. After all, insurance companies have every incentive to try to reduce their liabilities.
Follow these 5 tips, and you’ll be better prepared to protect yourself as you file your claim.
1). Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
The first and most important thing you need to do when filing a personal injury claim is to hire a personal injury lawyer.
There are multiple reasons you need a personal injury lawyer. For one thing, a personal injury lawyer will know the law.
This means they’ll be able to argue your case in terms of the specific laws that are relevant. If the other party was negligent, they’ll be able to make that case.
You also need a personal injury lawyer because any time an insurance company is involved, so is a team of lawyers. The fact that the other side of this equation has excellent legal representation and an incentive to get away with paying you as little as possible should be all the reason you need to retain the services of a personal injury lawyer.
And if you’re under the impression that personal injury lawyers are too expensive, think again.
High-quality personal injury and accident legal firms, such as Lampert & Walsh of LampertandWalsh.com, work on a contingency basis and all initial consultations are free.
This means it costs you nothing to see what your options are, and your personal injury lawyer will be paid from your settlement in the event that you are compensated.
Tip 2): You’ll Need Hard Evidence
Filing a personal injury suit is like other lawsuits in that it is necessary to establish the facts regarding what happened.
This means that you need tangible evidence and documentation of your injuries. You also need evidence for the circumstances under which you received them.
Remember, there’s at least one other side of this equation – most likely an insurance company. If the factual case for your injuries or for your claim that you received them in such-and-such a manner is lacking, they may sense that they can win the case.
This is another area in which a personal injury lawyer can help you. They’ll know what types of evidence you need to gather, and how to present them in a court of law.
Tip 3): Be Honest, No Matter What
There’s a moral principle whereby honesty is the best policy, but it’s also quite practical in this area of law.
Any attempt to lie about or exaggerate your injuries is illegal, and there is a very real chance that someone who tries to do this will be found out.
If you have previous medical issues that are relevant to establishing the extent of your injuries – say, a joint that already had reduced mobility – be sure to be upfront and honest about them.
Being honest even when it does not seem to be in your favor will actually help you to appear more credible.
It’s also important to remember that insurance companies have an incentive to get to the bottom of what really happened. Expect them to have an investigator who will want to talk to you and figure out exactly how injured you really are.
Tip 4): Follow Medical Advice and Treatment
If you have a doctor-prescribed course of treatment – medication, physical therapy, etc. – it is vitally necessary that you follow it without deviation.
Failing to follow your treatment will raise questions for the insurance company. It will give them the perfect opening to argue that because you missed some of your treatment, this calls into question how injured you actually are.
For your own sake, follow your treatment even if you don’t think you need it. Besides, sometimes it takes a while for the extent of an injury to become clear.
Tip 5): Know What You’re Worth
If the insurance company you are dealing with approaches you with a settlement figure, be careful.
There’s a good chance they’re trying to buy you off quickly.
Your personal injury attorney can help you figure out what you’re worth in terms of compensation amount. This is important, particularly if you suffered some degree of disability and need the financial support for your health care and living.
Conclusion
If you’ve suffered a personal injury due to someone else’s negligence, you’ll want to file a personal injury claim in order to get compensation.
However, there is a great deal of potential for error, and it is important to take steps to protect yourself. Follow the 5 tips prescribed here, and you’ll be well on your way.