Just as there are a number of ways to sustain an injury, there are an equal number of personal injury claims. And while there are a variety of personal injury and accident claims that each require specialized action, there are a few important underlying “ground rules” that come with filing any kind of injury or accident claim. Here are a few:
Determine what kind of insurance the other party has
If you’ve been injured and you believe another person or entity is legally responsible, it’s important to find out what kind of insurance coverage the other party has. For example, the offending driver should have auto insurance. And depending on the state and type of insurance coverage the other driver carries, your injury or accident claim may be covered by their insurance. Similarly, a business or property owner may have liability coverage that covers slip and fall injuries.
In the event the other party has no insurance coverage, it’s best to weigh the options of moving forward with an accident claim with legal guidance of an accident attorney or personal injury lawyer. For minor injuries, it may be difficult to receive personal injury compensation without following a legal course of action with the help of an accident or insurance claim lawyer.
Find an attorney
Except in the simplest and most straight forward of accident claims, it’s best to seek the legal counsel of a personal injury attorney. Working with a lawyer can dramatically increase our chances of filing a claim that’s ruled in your favor. Personal injury attorneys are familiar with the complexities and nuances of personal injury law, and this experience is invaluable when it comes to seeking the appropriate compensation. In many cases, accident claims can be often be settled without having to go to trial.
Nevertheless, don’t make the mistake of assuming you can save money by filing your claim or representing yourself. Ironically, this well-intentioned decision may end up costing you in the long run. This is especially true if you’ve sustained a serious injury, in which case you may even be tempted to settle for compensation that is far less than you deserve or are entitled to. A lawyer can help ensure that justice is served.
Seek medical attention
The statute of limitations in each state varies, but they all require the injured party to seek the appropriate medical attention within a given time frame. As such, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately following your injury, even if you don’t think your injury is serious or feel minimal pain. Be sure to notify the attending physician at staff where and how you sustained the injury, such as on the job, during car accident, or because of a slip.
Don’t let fear of filing an accident claim prevent you from filing one. Though they’ve earned an reputation of being confusing or difficult, accident claims are usually surprisingly simple to file, especially with legal representation.
