If you sustained a personal injury, you might be able to ask for a settlement or file a lawsuit to get the money needed to cover medical expenses. Have you been the victim of an accident that was not your fault? You will improve your chances for victory by reading this article.
Be sure you clearly document your injuries in thorough detail after you have been hurt. All physical issues should be explained, no matter what they are. Include any bruising that happens within a couple of days of your accident. Also, think about your mental state after experiencing the accident, like being scared to drive.
Detail injuries as clearly as possible in writing. Go over everything that happened to you, whether you broke an arm or just got a cut. Don’t forget to include any bruises and scrapes that you discover later on. Also identify emotional and mental issues that may occur after an injury or accident, like being afraid to get behind the wheel again.
Never hire a lawyer off the TV. This is a common mistake people make. These lawyers have so many cases that the chances are good your entire case will be handled by a paralegal start to finish, so it is important to do your research. Failure to do so can lead to a lot of wasted money or being stuck with an incredibly inexperienced attorney.
The size of a legal firm should play an important part in your decision making process. If you’re a part of a large personal injury lawsuit, it might be helpful to use a big firm for your representation. If it is a more minor case, however, you do want to spend the amount of money a larger firm will require.
You might not need an attorney if you feel a little pain directly after and accident. This is something that is normal, and it may subside soon. If you’ve been feeling pain for a few days, however, then it’s probably best that you speak with a lawyer.
Paying a lawyer is investing in your case, so make sure you are treated respectfully, as an investor should be. A lawyer who is incapable of treating you like a human being is simply not worth your time and effort. Also, if you have trouble getting in touch with the lawyer, you might need to get yourself a substitute.
Insurance Companies
Contact the authorities asap if you’ve suffered a personal injury. If you are hurt at work, inform your supervisor immediately. If you’re an injured pedestrian or driver in a car accident, contact the ambulance and police as soon as you can.
Remember that insurance companies do not have your best interests in mind. Most injury claims involve one or more insurance companies, so stay on your guard. The main thing these companies want to do is get the case over with quickly and for the least amount of money possible. You should speak with an attorney before accepting any offers.
Although you may feel a small amount of pain after an accident, this isn’t a reason to immediately contact a lawyer. This can be normal and it could go away soon. Call a lawyer if your injury impacts your daily life or if the pain does not go away.
Pick your personal injury lawyer prior to giving recorded or written injury statements to insurance adjusters or those that represent the other party. Everything you say can and will be used as evidence during the trial, so make sure to consult with a good attorney first.
If you need an attorney, you should establish a retainer agreement quickly. This lets you know ahead of time how much they will charge to avoid surprises later. Set up a schedule for payment within the agreement and also note how to end the relationship if it does not seem to be working.
As you understand more about personal injury cases, you will have a better idea of which actions you should take. Is the service of a good attorney needed now? Were you the one who caused yourself to be injured? Use the advice above to make a better next move.
Prepare yourself before meeting with your lawyer. This is definitely important if this attorney works your case on contingency. In a contingency case, your lawyer gets paid only if you get paid; therefore, an attorney may refuse to take your case if they feel you are not prepared. You should make sure to have all the documentation you need and get plenty of practice presenting your case.