If it’s your first time getting a very serious personal injury that another party is liable for, you might be wondering what you should do to file a personal injury case. Here are the essential steps you should not forget before you file a personal injury claim.
1. Preserve all evidence
Having evidence of your injury will help strengthen the case so make sure to collect as much of it as you possibly can. File a police report and get copies of it to provide to your lawyer. Take photos of the accident, your injury, and the damaged property, if you still can. Gather copies of medical documents and treatment plans from your doctor.
Also, if you have any witnesses, get their information. In addition, you want to keep records of the income you lost due to missing work. It also helps to keep a written account of the injury while the memory is still fresh in your mind.
2. Get medical treatment and follow your doctor’s advice
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The first thing you should do after getting into an accident is to go to a doctor. If you fail to do this, your claim could be drastically reduced. Then, make sure that you follow your doctor’s advice religiously. That means taking medication as prescribed and undergoing treatments and required tests.
If you neglect treatment, you could weaken the value of your case. The defendant’s lawyer will argue that because you only needed minimal treatment, you don’t deserve to get the settlement you’re asking for.
3. Get off social media
Or any public platform where your opponent can potentially find the information they can use against you. Defense attorneys of personal injury cases will scour the internet for any dirt they find proving that you may be exaggerating your symptoms. To be on the safe side, refrain from talking about your personal injury with anyone except your lawyer.
4. Get a good personal injury lawyer
The importance of getting a skilled lawyer cannot be overstated. It doesn’t matter how prepared you are. If your lawyer does not know how to present your case in court, you will get a poor settlement. Make sure to pick your legal representative wisely. You want one who is deeply involved with your case rather than someone who will just pass off your case to a junior associate.
One such firm that understands the importance of personalized service is The Sanders Law Firm. They have handled thousands of personal injury cases and are very well experienced in obtaining compensation their clients deserve. Whether the injury was acquired due to a car crash, defective product, or a dangerous workplace, their lawyers can help get the best outcome for you, especially when dealing with tough insurance companies.
5. Be prepared mentally
Filing a personal injury case is not as easy as showing medical receipts and walking away with your settlement money. Remember, insurance companies do not just pay out willingly. If you ask for a settlement, it is in their best interest to try to reduce the amount, if not, legitimize it. This can be frustrating and stressful on your part. Having a good lawyer around you can make things easier as they do all the heavy-lifting making sure that you win the case.
There’s quite a lot that you should do before filing a personal injury case, but you must remember, to not let it linger longer than you need to. Depending on the state you are living in, there is a certain window of time for when you can file a claim. Find out yours based on the state you are living in and make sure to perform all the steps above before the deadline.
