Depending on the source, there are tens of millions of personal injury claims annually. One source, for instance, says 39.5 million personal injury cases necessitating medical treatment occur every year in the U.S.
Whether due to car accidents, dog bites, workplace injuries, defective products, slips and falls, or other things, personal injuries come in different forms. And they occur far too often to ignore.
That’s especially true if you’re on the receiving end of a mishap that leaves you sidelined. A personal injury may require time off work, surgery, physio, and more.
If you ever suffer such an accident, you’ll want to hire a reputable personal injury lawyer to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Before retaining the services of a legal professional, however, here are five things to know about personal injury claims.
1. Time Limits to File
One reason to hire a personal injury lawyer sooner rather than later after an accident is that there’s no time to waste. There are time limits to file personal injury claims. So, if you dilly-dally, you might be disappointed.
When you retain the services of a personal injury lawyer, the legal professional will know about any time limits for filing claims. The last thing you want is to miss essential deadlines and jeopardize your chances of filing a claim and receiving compensation.
2. Importance of Proving Negligence
Another thing to know about personal injury claims is the importance of proving negligence. When a lawyer builds your case, they must demonstrate that another party’s negligence contributed to your injuries. If there’s no link, your personal injury claim will be denied.
That’s why you need to hire a good lawyer who’ll take the time to assess your situation, conduct sufficient research, find the right experts, and leave no stone unturned to get you a good outcome.
3. Types of Compensation Available
It’s also vital to understand what types of compensation are available via the personal injury claim process. You can bet your lawyer will fill you in. Compensation available through personal injury claims can include lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, property damage, and financial losses stemming from long-term injuries.
Your lawyer will advise you about the compensation you’re entitled to and seek to secure you an attractive amount.
4. Evidence Is Essential
When building strong personal injury claims, you need strong evidence to back up your claims. The police report, pictures, and medical records are examples of vital evidence needed to get the desired compensation. Without the right evidence, your odds of success will plummet.
5. Many Claims Are Settled
Yet another thing to know about personal injury claims is that many of them are settled before they ever make it to court. You’ll be well-positioned if you hire a reputable personal injury lawyer with expertise in reaching settlements that can save you time and money.
You don’t just want a settlement, of course. What you want is a fair offer rather than a lowball offer. A good personal injury lawyer won’t pressure you into a bad settlement deal. They’ll present the offer, let you know if the bid is a fair one, and give you the information you need to decide. One of the worst things you can do is accept a lowball offer.
If you ever need to file a personal injury claim, it’s essential to know what that entails. It’s not a process for the faint of heart since it can drag on for a long time before a resolution is reached.
But if you hire a good lawyer who knows their stuff, your odds of a good compensation offer will go up and your stress level will go down.
