Becoming the victim of an accident is a scary and complicated experience to go through. When you have sustained personal injuries from an accident, you not only have to worry about the state of your well-being, but you also have to worry about the steps needed to file a personal injury claim. Filing a personal injury claim can be confusing, especially if done on your own. Thankfully, there are a few steps that are helpful to follow.
1) Seek Medical Attention for Your Personal Injuries
Seeking medical attention when the accident happens is essential and the first step in making a personal injury claim. Even if you do not feel injured, seeking medical attention beyond what you get from EMTs at the accident scene is wise. The reason is that you may have injuries that take a while to manifest.
2) Hire an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer
Attorneys Bernheim Kelley Battista & Bliss recommend that you contact an experienced personal injury lawyer soon after your accident. Regardless of how complicated your personal injury case is, a lawyer can help you get compensation for your injuries. It is essential to contact a lawyer soon after your accident and before you talk to your insurance company to make sure they offer you a fair settlement amount.
3) Have Your Personal Injury Lawyer File A Claim
The only way to get compensated for your personal injuries is to file a personal injury claim. Your personal injury lawyer can help you obtain all the documentation you need to provide to the insurance company, as well as help you provide proof of your damages.
4) Gather Information About Your Personal Injuries
Again, your lawyer can help you obtain all the documentation you need to prepare for your personal injury case. After filing a claim, you will need medical records, records of lost wages, invoices from doctors, and estimates on personal property damage. All this documentation will help you be compensated for medical bills, property damage, and loss of income.
5) Negotiating A Settlement for Your Personal Injury Case
Your insurance company’s job is to settle for the least amount they can, so having an experienced lawyer to go back and forth with them until they decide on a fair settlement is best for you. Most personal injury cases end in a settlement, but on the rare occasion that you do not settle then, you will have to go to court.
Seeking medical attention and obtaining a personal injury lawyer should happen within the first week or two, as well as filing a claim. Gathering information and negotiating a settlement can take longer, especially if the insurance company is reluctant to offer a fair settlement. In the end, filing a personal injury claim is worth it if it gives you the compensation you need to recover from the accident and live your life.
