If you suffer an injury due to another’s negligence, you may be able to obtain compensation by filing a personal injury claim. Personal injuries often lead to expensive medical bills, lost wages, and an inability to perform certain daily tasks.
In a successful personal injury case, the victim may be able to recover damages for medical expenses—such as physical therapy, hospitalization, medical equipment, and prescriptions—lost wages, and emotional pain and suffering. If you’ve been injured, contact a Chattanooga personal injury attorney today to determine how to proceed.
Maximizing Your Personal Injury Claim
In a personal injury lawsuit, it’s up to the victim (plaintiff) to prove that the defendant’s negligence actually caused the injury. A successful injury claim relies on quick action, well-preserved evidence, and good legal counsel. Follow the tips below to maximize your personal injury claim and obtain the compensation you deserve.
Document Everything
Abundant evidence forms the foundation of any good case. It’s in your best interest to begin documenting as soon as possible. For example, if you are involved in a car accident, you should take pictures of the surrounding area, property damage, and any visible injuries. Don’t leave the scene without getting the other driver’s contact and insurance information. Also, call police immediately, even if the accident seems minor; this will result in the creation of an official police report while the details are still fresh in your mind. If you end up filing a claim, this report can prove invaluable.
After your injury, keep a log of your progress. Note how you feel, any medical or legal advice you’ve received, and the changes you notice in your life since sustaining the injury. Also, save any relevant receipts, bills, communications, and medical records. Speak with your lawyer if you’re unsure what to keep and what to discard. When in doubt, too much information is far better than too little.
Remain honest about your condition. Don’t exaggerate your symptoms to garner more sympathy from the court, and don’t maintain an air of stoicism if you are genuinely suffering. Courts look favorably on honest plaintiffs who give their best effort to cooperate from start to finish.
Follow the Rules & Don’t Wait To File Your Case
Personal injury claims can be complex and confusing. Anyone who has been in a motor vehicle accident knows the hassle of endless paperwork and phone calls. Not to mention, the slightest mistake made during this critical time can cost you dearly in a future injury case. As such, it’s in your best interest to make sure you understand the rules and act quickly.
In all states, you have a certain amount of time to file a personal injury claim. In Tennessee, that time limit is one year from the date of your accident; in Georgia, two. That may seem like a lot of time, but the longer you wait to act, the more you can harm your case. It’s essential to visit a doctor as soon as possible after an accident, file a police report promptly, seek immediate medical attention, and contact a TN injury lawyer without delay. And whatever you do, do not accept any amount of blame or responsibility after the accident, as that can be devastating to your case. The truth is, following an accident, it is extremely difficult to determine fault; so leave it up to the professionals.
Speak With A Personal Injury Attorney Before Calling Your Insurance
It’s the first instinct of many injury victims to contact their insurance company after an accident. While it’s necessary to notify them promptly, what you say to the insurance company will affect their assessment of fault and any compensation from a subsequent personal injury claim. For this reason, it’s best to speak with a GA injury lawyer before contacting your insurance company to minimize the chances of unintentionally jeopardizing your case. Your lawyer can even communicate with the insurance company on your behalf.
Avoid Personal Injury Settlement Mills
Due to the complex nature of personal injury law, bad actors count on you to not understand your rights or how injury claims work. Unscrupulous law firms take on these unsuspecting clients with the promise of a fast settlement. In reality, they rarely go to court, accept settlements that aren’t even close to the value of the case, and charge just as much, if not more, than a traditional trial lawyer.
If your injuries are severe, you should avoid these settlement mills at all costs. The time it takes to settle personal injury claims can deter many people from visiting a qualified attorney, especially if the plaintiff needs the money to pay medical bills or make up for lost income. But the fact of the matter is that a strong personal injury case requires time to build.
Don’t Unveil Details About The Injury on Social Media
It’s tempting to share your life experiences on your social media platforms in our hyper-connected world, including recovery from a painful injury. However, social media posts are admissible as evidence in court. You’d be surprised how defense attorneys can twist an innocent comment from your aunt about how well your injury seems to be healing. Stay silent online about your injury. Check your privacy settings on these networks to ensure that very little is available from an online search. If possible, minimize the amount you say on social media in general.
Contact Dennis & King Today
If you have been injured in Tennessee or Georgia, the skilled legal team at Dennis and King can help. Our highly-skilled, experienced injury lawyers will help you navigate the entire process from start to finish. Contact Dennis and King today at (423) 892-5533 for a free and confidential consultation about your case.
