After the initial shock of your accident wears off, it’s likely you’ll find yourself dealing with unexpected and overwhelming medical expenses and a frustrating recovery process. The ordeal can become even harder to manage in the event you need to take time off work. Fortunately, our legal system gives personal injury victims the right to seek compensation for what they’ve been through.
Once you file your personal injury claim, you’ll want to do whatever it takes to maximize your potential compensation, because that compensation will be a crucial part of your recovery process. There are a variety of factors that have the potential to influence your settlement or claim amount. This is especially true if you believe your accident resulted from someone else’s negligence. At McMath Woods P.A., our personal injury lawyers are prepared to help your claim succeed.
1) Hire an Experienced Attorney
The first step towards building a strong personal injury claim is hiring a knowledgeable legal team. Many attorneys will offer free consultations for personal injury cases, that way you can decide which law firm is right for you. Once you choose a lawyer, that person will use the evidence you provide in conjunction with their own investigation to prove to the insurance company you are deserving of compensation to offset the costs of your accident.
As your claim proceeds, it’s important to keep your lawyer updated with any changes in your condition. If you’ve been contacted by the defense or feel hassled by the insurance company, your lawyer will be able to look into the matter. You should also report any medical updates, as those can impact your compensation amount.
Our attorneys at McMath Woods have litigation experience in an array of personal injury cases. Our broad experience means our clients get the best service possible.
2) Collect and Preserve Evidence
Building a strong personal injury claim begins with collecting and preserving evidence. Immediately following your accident, assuming you are able to, collect as much evidence possible. You’ll want to record what happened in a chronological manner, who was involved, information about the location and the condition of the area, the date and time, and anything else you think is relevant. It’s also a good idea to take pictures of the accident, the surrounding area, and your injuries.
If anyone else was around at the time of the accident, you may benefit from their witness testimony. It’ll be important to provide your attorney with contact information for possible onlookers.
In addition to recording information about the accident, you’ll want to keep track of any and all documents related to the event. This includes your medical bills, police reports, notices from your employer, and any other applicable documents.
3) Seek Medical Treatment
Even if you are uncertain about the extent of your injuries, it’s imperative to seek medical treatment as soon as you are able to. In some cases, you’ll need to go to or be transported to a hospital immediately following the accident. Other times, you’ll want to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician for the same or next day.
The medical diagnoses and expenses will play a significant role in your personal injury claim. If you are able to prove your injury occurred as a result of someone else’s negligence, you’ll improve your chances of succeeding and receiving the compensation you deserve.
4) Avoid Discussing Your Case
Unless absolutely necessary, avoid speaking to anyone about your personal injury claim. You’ll want to limit your social media activity and do what you can to only discuss the matter with your attorney. Never, under any circumstances, should you contact the other party. If the opposing party locates social media posts about the accident or documents your contact, they can use that against you and your claim may suffer.
5) Don’t Wait
After you’ve been injured there are certain limits, called statutes of limitations, in place that determine how long you have to file your claim. These limits vary depending on the case; however, your attorney will be able to help you determine how much time you have. If you do not file your claim within the required timeframe, you risk the chance of your claim being dismissed without review.
Whether you’ve been in a car accident, are dealing with a medical malpractice issue, or are planning to represent a loved one who has suffered from nursing home abuse, our personal injuries lawyers have years of experience representing a multitude of clients. For more information about personal injury law or for a free initial consultation, contact our office today.
