Personal injury is a legal term for any injury or illness caused by someone else’s negligence. If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. But how do you do that? By filing a personal injury claim.
A personal injury claim is a legal action filed by an injured person against the person or entity responsible for their injuries. A personal injury claim aims to obtain compensation for the victim’s damages. However, to ensure you get the highest compensation possible, you should take all necessary steps after submitting a personal injury lawsuit. In fact, the real battle starts just after you file the claim.
The actions you take after being injured are very important, and there are a few things you may do to maximize your compensation. So, with that in mind, here are a few things to do to navigate the personal injury claim process easily and receive the compensation you deserve.
1. Hire a Competent Personal Injury Attorney
Your chances of winning your claim will increase tenfold if you hire a personal injury attorney or law firm with a proven track record of success in court, like Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC. These experienced personal injury lawyers can help you with almost all types of personal injury claims – from car accidents and product liability to nursing home abuse and wrongful deaths.
It will be your attorney’s job to look through all the details with you, advise you on how to proceed with your claim, communicate with the attorney from the other party, and represent you in court if necessary.
2. Receive Medical Treatment
Seeking medical attention immediately after an injury is important for both your health and your legal claim. Even if you don’t think your injuries are serious, it’s important to have them checked out by a doctor. This will create a record of your injuries and help to establish the extent of your damages. It will also help rule out any underlying injuries you may not be aware of.
In addition, medical records can be used as evidence in your personal injury claim. They can help prove that someone else’s negligence caused your injuries and that you have suffered damages.
If you delay in seeking medical attention, it could damage your personal injury claim. The insurance company may argue that your injuries were not caused by the accident or that they are not as serious as you claim. They may also present the argument that you are not entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering because you did not seek medical treatment immediately.
3. Acquire Documentation of Proof
Your medical records will give clear evidence of how much money you’ve spent on medical care, but in many situations, that evidence may not be sufficient. Therefore, be careful to keep account of all the expenses you spent after your accident, including any transportation costs and missed pay from periods when you could not go to work. Here, documenting how your discomfort and suffering impacted your quality of life would also be useful.
Despite this, quality of life is extremely personal because experiences differ from person to person, making it difficult to measure. However, you can also sue for pain and suffering if you show the court documents demonstrating how your injuries affected your daily life, such as dairies, notebooks, videos, and images.
4. Watch What You Say
Don’t even consider posting information about your case on social media. It will seriously undermine your claim, and the attorney for the other party will try to exploit it to disprove your claim. For instance, saying something simple like “I’m okay” or “I should’ve been more careful” will get you into trouble in court.
The counsel for the opposing party might use it against you to persuade the judge that you are physically healthy and merely suing for financial benefit. And you never know; the court could dismiss your case.
5. Define Why the Opposing Party’s Offer is Unfair
In order to ensure that you receive the highest possible compensation for your case, it is crucial to convince both the judge and the opposing party of the strength of your arguments. If the other party presents an offer that isn’t what you believe you deserve, it is within your rights to ask your attorney to communicate your dissatisfaction with the settlement. Providing supporting evidence can further strengthen your position and demonstrate that you are unwilling to settle for less than what you are owed.
Here, working closely with your attorney throughout this process is important to maximize your chances of success.
6. Don’t Forget to Make a Good Impression
In the event that your case goes to trial, the jury and judge will base their decision on what they hear and observe. However, when it comes to trial proceedings, making a positive first impression can greatly impact the outcome of your case. The jury and judge are attentive to how you present yourself and behave throughout the trial. Demonstrating respect and decency in your speech and actions can go a long way in swaying their opinion.
By conducting yourself professionally, you provide solid evidence supporting your position and increase the likelihood of the jury and judge being on your side. You must remember that presenting yourself well in court is not complicated; it requires conscious effort and adherence to basic etiquette.
The Final Words
Patience is the key to success in your personal injury lawsuit. The entire procedure might take several months. During that time, you’ll get a few settlement offers and have to counter them with a few of your own. Despite this, you could still find yourself tempted to accept the first offer you get. However, refrain from doing so. Instead, let your attorney handle all the legal details of your personal injury case and let them do the talking on your behalf.