How Do I Make a Personal Injury Claim?

By Staff Reporter | Dec 03, 2020 10:57 AM EST

There are many different types of personal injury, from medical malpractice to workplace injuries to product defects. And then there are personal injury cases that involve motor vehicles. Among them include:

  • Bicycle accidents

  • Bus accidents

  • Car accidents

  • Motorcycle accidents

  • Rideshare accidents

  • Truck accidents

Seek Medical Treatment

In preparation for filing a personal injury claim, you must first be seen by a qualified healthcare provider who can assess your injuries, make a diagnosis, and come up with a prognosis for your healing. According to the lawyers at https://bovolaw.com/, it's also a good idea to take pictures of your injuries on the day of your accident, and as they heal. 

Hiring An Attorney

After you've been seen by a medical doctor in the emergency room, it's time to focus on hiring a lawyer. In order to help you do that pick the right one, there are some questions you should ask:

What are your fees?

Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means that you will not pay a fee unless you recover money and damages from your lawsuit. If you recover damages, then your personal injury attorney will take a percentage of your award. 

Who will handle my case?

Some big personal injury firms try to win over clients by introducing them to senior partners and making them feel very special, but when the client calls to ask about their case they speak to a legal aid they've never met before. 

Providing Evidence

First, you will need the medical records from the emergency room where you were treated after your accident. The results from any tests or scans that were done need to be given to your attorney. If you took photos at the scene of the accident of your injuries, as well as pictures of the damaged vehicles, or if you captured footage of wrongdoing or recklessness, then those are incredibly compelling pieces of evidence. Next, you will need to prove that you missed work and how much money you have lost from being unable to do your job. If you have been seeing a physical therapist or another specialist who is telling you that you will need several more weeks or months of rehabilitation, then you and your attorney need to talk about your future lost wages, and how to include those in your damages.

Demands And Negotiations

Most personal injury claims are settled after a few conversations with the other attorney or the insurance company of the negligent party. If your case can be settled outside of court, then it may be settled in a matter of days or weeks. It's important to note that the majority of cases settle and do not go to trial. But your attorney should always be prepared for that possibility. 

Can I represent myself in a personal injury claim?

Yes, but it's not advisable to do so.  A skilled lawyer has established trustworthy relationships with experts in a variety of fields helpful to personal injury law. Your attorney will fight for you and use whatever means necessary and support your case, such as bringing in expert witnesses to testify on your behalf. Don't risk getting less than you deserve. Instead, call a personal injury attorney today to begin the process of filing your claim.

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