Do you have a personal injury and can’t afford to lose out on compensation for it? Do you want to file a claim to settle, but afraid that you’ll lose? If so, then you need to learn all that you can about the personal injury claim process.
Doing so can set you on a track for success. You’ll learn all about how a personal injury attorney can help you while you look for a desirable settlement.
See below for several ways that you can attempt to settle your claim after you file a personal injury claim.
1. Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
Simply put: you can’t hope to win or reach a settlement for your case without hiring a personal injury attorney. Let’s put it this way: without a lawyer, you’ll be going face to face with an insurance company who’s sole interest is getting you to settle for as little as possible.
If they sniff even the slightest possibility of causing you to lose your claim, you can bet that they will pursue it.
With an experienced lawyer by your side, you’ll show the insurance provider that you’re in it for the long haul. You’re willing to hold out as long as it takes to get the compensation that you deserve.
More importantly, you’ll have direction on your side. They can help you compile evidence and build your case. They’ll take on the communications between you and the insurance company, and give you step by step directions for how involved you should be in the case moving forward.
When searching for a personal injury attorney, make sure you hire a lawyer that specializes in it. Too many people sabotage their own case by having a family friend or inexperienced lawyer represent them. That’s a mistake that you can’t afford to make.
2. Gather as Much Evidence as Possible
Without sufficient evidence, the insurance company (your opposition) will eat you alive. They have a vast amount of resources to help build their case, you need the same for yours as well.
To do so, there are two vital steps you should take:
- Compile as much evidence as you can at the scene.
- Hire an attorney for help building your case and using their resources.
Whenever the injury first happens, you want to gather all the evidence you can. Once you walk away from the scene where it happened, that evidence may be gone forever.
First, pull out your smartphone and take as many photos as you can. That includes things like your injury, proof of what happened, the work floor, people that were around you, the time of day, and so on.
You’ll also want to write down a list of your coworkers, friends, or someone else that witnessed the injury take place. Your attorney can also retrieve the police report (if applicable).
When gathering key witnesses, be sure to write down their name, number, email, and address, as well as a small summary of what they saw. Your attorney can reach out to them later to gather an official statement.
3. Aim to Settle Out of Court
Here’s the bottom line: you’re out to get compensation for your injury. That compensation can be used to help you pay for expensive medical bills from your injury, time you’ve missed at work, and so on.
For that reason, you and your attorney will want to make it a goal to settle outside of court. It can help you guarantee that you get the compensation amount that you’re looking for.
Settlements are also far less stressful. Your attorney will take a majority of the work and see that the insurance company gives you the amount you’re out for. You can sit back, wait, and continue to pile evidence to strengthen your case while you wait.
4. Prepare for a Long-Term Case
Understandably, you’d want to settle the case as quickly as possible, however, time should not be your top priority. The amount should be.
Those that feel rushed to settle their case don’t often end up with the compensation that they need. They feel rushed to cover their medical bills and end up accepting an amount that’s far below what they’re entitled to. Once you sign the papers, you can’t turn back.
Always be prepared to sit it out for the long term. Personal injury settlements can take up to two years to reach a solution. In the meantime, you can apply for things such as pre-settlement funding to cover your medical expenses in the short-term.
5. Don’t Say a Word to Anyone
This part is especially tough. You’ve just been through a traumatic experience and want to find someone to talk to about it.
Many people sabotage their chances of getting a large compensation by giving a recorded statement to the insurance provider. Once you’ve done so, you’ve given them all the momentum.
Don’t speak with anyone until you’ve hired a personal injury attorney. They’ll be the ones to direct you on who to talk to and what to say moving forward.
Hire an Attorney for Your Personal Injury Claim Today
Before you ever file a personal injury claim, make sure you’ve found and hired a personal injury attorney for your case.
Do you think you’ve been a victim of medical malpractice? Be sure to read this article for more information on the 7 common examples of medical malpractice.
For more inquiries, please be sure to reach out via our contact us page and we will be happy to assist you further.
