Whether you’ve been injured in a work-related accident or have sustained an injury from the negligence of someone else, you may be entitled to compensation. Personal injury claims can be complex, and individuals with personal injury claims may experience a variety of difficulties during the legal process. Many personal injury claims and losses go to trial, taking a great deal out of both parties involved. Following the legal process can be incredibly stressful, and this article provides ten things you need to know about making a personal injury claim.
1. You Must Build Your Case Carefully:
It can take a great deal of time to build your case, and although you need to be sure you’ve gathered a lot of evidence, you can’t spend all day gathering evidence if you don’t already have it. You should be careful what you submit as evidence because it may hurt your case more than it will help it. You should also look carefully at the evidence that is provided against you because it could also hurt your case.
2. Don’t Forget Future Damages:
It is important to document how you have been harmed and the financial losses you’ve experienced as a result of your injury. It is also important to document the costs of care and treatment you’ve needed and the physical and mental effects your injury has had on you. If you fail to properly document or fail to fully explain your loss, it may lead to a different ruling being given.
3. New Technology Brings New Legal Challenges:
New technology is being used to help in the fight against personal injury and accident victims. While many of these technologies are illegal and unethical, they help lawyers and experts in the field of evidence gathering. Having new technology can make your case stronger, but it also can make it more difficult for you to retain a lawyer.
4. Don’t Be Too Eager:
While it may be tempting to want to file a personal injury claim as soon as possible, you must be careful in your approach. You should not be too eager to file your claim and neglect to properly document your case. Be sure you have enough evidence to prove your case, and make sure you have proper documentation or good enough evidence that is already on record.
5. Know (And Be Prepared To Explain) Why The First Offer Is Inadequate:
Be prepared to explain why the first offer you receive for your personal injury claim is inadequate. It can be difficult to say no to money, especially when you’ve been hurt and need it, but be sure you are prepared to turn it down and stick to your guns when your opponent tries to persuade you otherwise. Be firm and careful in explaining why the initial offer is not good enough.
6. Your Medical History And Private Life Are Not Off Limits:
During the discovery process, your medical history and private life may come under fire. In order to make your case stronger, you may have to disclose your medical history and private information. You should be careful in how you disclose it to others because they could turn around and use this against you later on in the case.
7. It May Take Years To Successfully Make A Personal Injury Claim:
It is important to be patient and understand that a personal injury claim may take years to make successfully. This is why it is so important to build a good case and gather the right evidence before you file. It may take years but be patient because, in the end, it will be worth the wait.
8. Reach The Point Of Maximum Medical Improvement Before Settling Your Personal Injury Insurance Claim:
The point of maximum medical improvement is an important milestone in a personal injury claim. You should settle your case as soon as you have reached PMMI. If you don’t settle your claim during this period and choose to fight it out in court, you will be barred from filing another injury claim for the rest of your life. If you file a claim after PMMI and lose the case, it will be the last time you ever file a claim again.
9. Your Financial Settlement Will Make You A Target:
After you are awarded a financial settlement, you will be labelled as a “rich” person, and this can cause problems for you. It is important to be careful and protect yourself from those who may wish to take advantage of the situation. Having a large amount of money means you are likely to receive more telephone calls, door-to-door salesmen and people who will try to con or steal from you.
10. Successfully Making A Personal Injury Claim May Require Going To Court:
Finally, it is important to remember that while there are many reasons why a personal injury case may end up going to court, you should only get a lawyer if you feel your case is strong enough. If the case is weak and you choose to fight it out in court, it could make your claim weaker and less likely to be successful. It is always better to settle early on than go through the legal process of trial.
Conclusion
Personal injury claims are not easy, but they can be very rewarding when successful. While this article does not cover all the details and intricacies of a personal injury claim, it does provide some good information on what you need to know to successfully win your case. If you follow the process and guidelines, you can be sure that you will be taken care of by a personal injury attorney who will do everything he or she can to help make your claim successful.
