If you were involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault and you got injured, you should know that you’re entitled to compensation. However, this will not happen by itself, you’ll be required to file a personal injury claim to get compensated for what happened. Personal injury claims are legal cases that you open when you’ve been injured in an accident that was someone else’s fault. In some cases, injury claims escalate to court if the other party refused to pay what you’re entitled to. That’s why it’s important to deal with personal injury claims with care and follow all the steps correctly. You should also know that you’re eligible for compensation that covers more than your medical bills. To get the right amount of compensation, you should know how to deal with a personal injury claim.
1. Collect Evidence
To file a personal injury claim, you should have enough evidence that supports your case. Even if you believe that it’s obvious that you’re not the one at fault, you should have what proves it. When you file an injury claim, the other party’s insurance will be the one responsible to cover it. Unfortunately, your words alone are not enough to prove that you were the victim, and the other party’s insurance company will try its best to deny or reduce your compensation.
You can collect photos as your evidence from the accident. If you’ve been involved in a car accident or got injured because of a faulty product, try to take as many pictures as you can. Pictures of your car and the other party’s car or the product, your surroundings, and definitely your injuries. If the incident was in a public place, try to take the contact information of the witnesses in case you needed them in court.
2. Report The Accident
Right after the accident, you should call the police. Even if the other party said that they will cover all of your expenses, you need to have a reliable report from the police. Officers will be sent to the location of the incident and they will investigate the scene. They will be able to know who’s at fault and who’s not and report everything. This report includes a summary of information regarding the accident. They can also get access to any security cameras that were around the place of the accident. Before they leave, ask them to have a copy of their report.
3. Contact your Lawyer
Many people believe that they can handle a personal injury claim all by themselves because they were the victim of this accident. However, in many cases, those who go through the process by themselves don’t get the compensation they deserve and end up settling for way less than they deserve. Personal injury lawyers at https://www.cd-lawyers.com/, advise calling your lawyer as soon as the accident occurs. This will give you and your lawyer enough time to prepare for the insurance claim. Contacting your lawyer and informing them of the accident will allow them to work on your case immediately. Personal injury lawyers will help you finish all the needed paperwork and advise you on what you should do moving forward.
4. Don’t underestimate your Injuries
A common mistake that many people fall for is neglecting their injuries. Once you get injured you should seek medical attention, even if you feel that it’s just a bruise or that it’s not a big deal. Getting a professional diagnosis of your injuries is a must before filing an injury claim. You can lose your personal injury claim just because you waited a day. The other party could simply say that it wasn’t the accident that caused those injuries. Seeking medical attention is not only important because it will help identify any major problems or internal bleeding but will also allow you to get proper compensation for all your medical bills.
5. Know What you’re Entitled to
To deal with a personal injury claim, you should first know what you’re entitled to. Many people settle for way less than they deserve because they feel that the other party will not pay more than that. However, if you have enough evidence that you’re the victim, you will be eligible for compensation that covers all of your medical bills. If your injury will force you to take leave from work, then you’re entitled to compensation that covers all of your utility bills and other monthly expenses. You can also get compensation if you lose your job, suffer from PTSD or other mental illnesses because of the accident.
6. Don’t Overshare With Others
When you’re the victim of an accident, you shouldn’t share your thoughts with anyone but your lawyer. Sharing or talking to the other party or the witnesses about the accident can be used against you, and you might lose your claim. Small talks, such as it’s okay, it’s not a problem, I’m fine, can be held against you in court. When you’re talking to the officers, keep your conversation to the minimum, don’t say your point of view of the accident, just state what happened and keep your answers short.
The process of filing a personal injury claim is not easy. It requires a lot of time, effort, and paperwork. Hiring a lawyer is the best step that should be taken in these situations because personal injury lawyers are well aware and have years of experience in the procedures and legal work. They will also help you get everything you’re entitled to and won’t settle for less and that’s something you’re not going to be able to do on your own, especially if your injuries are severe. Your lawyer will do all the paperwork and file the claim while you recover and relax after the accident. In addition to all that, when you contact your injury lawyer right after the accident, they will guide you through all the steps that you need to do and will handle the case for you.
