There are 97.9 million emergency departments and 24.8 million physician office visits for unintentional injuries every year. Personal injuries commonly happen at least once in most individuals’ lives and can set victims back financially for quite a while. These types of accidents come in many forms, including car crashes, slip and fall accidents, product liability, dog bite attacks, medical malpractice, and workplace injuries. When you experience an accident due to no fault of your own, it would be a good idea to file a personal injury claim. Your attorney can help you by doing the following:
Collecting Evidence
When you initially get injured, your first step is to start gathering evidence about how you were wounded. Attorneys advise you to take pictures of the scene where you were harmed. They will also want you to take pictures of your cuts and wounds to reveal how serious your personal injury was. If you were in a vehicle accident, take pictures of the damage to the vehicles involved and the accident scene. Through an investigation, your attorney will find additional evidence to support your claim.
Assess Your Damages
During the personal injury claim process, you will need to note the pain and suffering you feel because this is a form of damages that will be included in your settlement. These include any difficult or troublesome emotions you experienced because of your injuries. For example, if you feel depressed after being injured, this should be compensated for. An insurance adjuster and your lawyer will work together to calculate how much you are owed in damages using a multiplier.
Your attorney will also request that you see a doctor and get treated for your wounds. You will also need to comply with the doctor’s orders to receive a full settlement amount. Your medical bills will be included in your damages and can also be used as proof to show the injuries caused by the accident. If you missed time from work, any lost wages that you experienced because of your personal injury should also be included in your settlement. It is the other party’s fault that you were unable to work, so any past, present, and future lost wages can be calculated and included in your compensation.
Negotiating Your Settlement
With the help of your attorney, you can negotiate a fair settlement that reflects how much you should receive in damages. The insurance company may offer to pay you a smaller sum or negotiate the total amount down, but with a knowledgeable attorney, you can be protected from these tactics. Your lawyer will use the evidence they gathered about your case to show how the other party is liable for your damages. If the other party refuses to give you fair compensation, you can then file a lawsuit against them.
How Do I Get Started With My Personal Injury Claim?
The first step is to speak to an attorney so that they can answer all of your questions. You may also be confused about the process, which is why a lawyer should be the first person you call as soon as you are injured. In addition to clarifying how the personal injury claim process works, they can let you know whether you are at fault or not. Find out more information at atlantapiattorney.com.
