Have you been injured and are without fault? You are not alone. In many cases, these individuals have to deal with legal issues, which can be quite complex. Keep these tips in mind when dealing with personal injuries.
Don’t forget to include lost income in your claim. Document how much you make at your job, how much time has been lost because of your injury and what this injury has cost you. You will also be able to include money you lost if you couldn’t attend certain classes.
Pre-existing medical conditions don’t negate your claim. Be open with your lawyer about all of this when you speak to him. You want to make sure he or she is aware of everything, so that they aren’t surprised while in court.
Personal Injury
Be sure to meet your personal injury lawyer in person before hiring him or her. Don’t go by TV appearances! This is a serious mistake. If you are considering hiring a lawyer you saw on TV, do as much background research as possible before meeting them. Taking time to research personal injury lawyers in your area can lead to finding the perfect attorney for your case.
You should take pictures of your injury so you can document your case in court. Most cellphones have cameras built in, so use that if you do not have an actual camera, or ask a witness to take photos for you. Do this as quickly after the accident as you can.
You will have medical records if you suffer a personal injury that requires a doctor’s care. Save these documents in one place, like a file folder. Ask your doctor to write a detailed report of your injuries, keep receipts from the bills you paid as well as your prescriptions and document any income loss. Also be sure to keep copies of emails that your doctor may have sent you about your injury.
Having as many witnesses as possible is important, and make sure to take all of their contact information. Your lawyer will want accurate statements right away, as many cases go on for a long time. After a little while, details of your accident can become foggy or forgotten, so witness statements help to reconstruct the accident more accurately.
Don’t speak with anyone about your accident and/or injury until you have consulted your personal injury lawyer. Whatever you say can be used against you later on, so be very careful.
Understand that hiring an attorney doesn’t guarantee a check will be delivered to your door anytime soon, if ever. You need to be patient, because the case takes a while to finish. Sometimes, you may have to wait years for your case to be resolved. Remember this from the start and you may be able to avoid some of your feelings of frustration.
Make sure you document all the costs associated with your case. Traveling and property expenses all fall into this category. Proof of this will be needed if you are going to court, and if not provided, it will not be considered as part of your judgement.
Ask the personal injury lawyer that you are considering for referrals. You can discover a lawyer’s personality, experience and overall likability this way. If you happen to come across a lawyer that is not willing to do this, then you should cross him off of your list immediately. It’s perfectly acceptable to look around for another lawyer in a case like this.
Determine who is responsible for causing your injury. If your injury occurred at work, you should be able to ask your employer for a settlement, but the situation is different if someone else caused the injury. Find a reputable attorney and discuss all the circumstances surrounding your injury so you can identify the appropriate parties to hold accountable.
Insurance Company
Always allow your attorney to handle any communication between you and the insurance company. As helpful as insurance adjusters seem to be, they are usually looking for information to use against you in court. Speak to your lawyer before speaking to anybody at the insurance company.
In the event you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, be sure to exchange license and insurance information with the other motorist. You may feel uninjured; however, problems may surface in the future. If you end up in the hospital with a stroke from a head injury, you will only be able to file a lawsuit against the responsible party if you have their information.
Always be honest with your attorney and your doctor regarding your injuries. Exaggerating your injuries by going through unnecessary therapy and treatment can be harmful. Your best bet is to remain honest at all times, so that you can achieve a successful verdict.
Do not rush through the process of choosing a lawyer. You may want to get someone on your side immediately, but you have to choose carefully. Your lawyer will play a large role in your ultimate outcome, so make sure you find one who has the right experience and skills.
Personal injuries are trying times in a person’s life. If you have been injured, you will need to face the legal system. While you may be suffering from pain now, things will get easier. Be well prepared. Get legal representation if the injuries are serious enough and someone else is at fault.