If you’ve been injured in an accident, keep in mind that the first things to take care of yourself and your injury. Do not stress with what comes after the accident, such as opening a personal injury claim.
Also, while recovering from your injury, it is recommended that you look into injury lawyers and prepare to hire one to help with your case after you open a claim.
Then, when you are ready to pursue a personal injury claim, there are some steps that you will have to follow to make sure that you do things properly. Therefore, let’s talk more about how you can open a personal injury claim and what this process involves.
How to Start Preparing for a Personal Injury Claim
Long before you open a personal injury claim; you have to do a couple of things that will greatly influence the outcome of your claim. This is the so-called evidence gathering stage of a personal injury claim, and must be done carefully. You don’t want to miss any details!
Collect evidence about the accident. This includes evidence that can point to the one who’s at fault for the accident, as well as the damages that have been caused. Photos and videos are very helpful.
Document everything that has happened after the accident – hospital visits, medical bills, lost wages, lost work time, and so on. Basically, keep a record of everything that has been influenced by the accident and the injury.
Contact information – make sure to get the contact information and names of everyone involved in the accident, as well as any possible witnesses.
If you speak with any witnesses, make sure to take note of everything they say related to the accident.
If you plan to file a claim for injuries and property damages, it is advised that you let the person who you will file the lawsuit against know about this.
Time Limits
You must open a claim within 3 years from the date of the accident. However, you should not take your time doing so, especially if you want to be compensated for your injuries.
It is strongly recommended that you gather the evidence needed and contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible, so that the proceedings can be issued early on.
Opening a Personal Injury Claim
A claim must be opened with insurance carriers of both parties. Obviously, you should not deal with this on your own. Instead, rely on your personal injury lawyer.
After opening the claim, it is recommended that you complete your medical treatment. During this time, your lawyer will conduct a personal injury claim investigation and gather further evidence that will be used to support your claim.
Then, you and your lawyer will work on a demand package that will be presented to the defendant and their insurance carrier. Depending on their answer, you may either reach claim settlement or a lawsuit in court.
Concluding Remarks
Opening a personal injury claim is not as hard as some people think. However, you do have to pay attention to all the evidence and documentation that you have to gather beforehand.
For example, you cannot meet your lawyer empty-handed, because they need to assess your claim before agreeing to handle it. Therefore, make sure to be properly prepared before filing for a claim, as the preparation process can greatly influence your compensation amount.
