How to Build a Strong Personal Injury Case

You might be victimized in a car accident, while shopping in a grocery store, or in some other way that caused you to suffer a personal injury. If so, some basic steps can help you to build a strong case against liable parties. It starts with avoiding posting to social media, unless you are simply proclaiming your injuries and how badly you feel.

Four Elements of a Solid Personal Injury Claim

You have to prove four elements to file a successful personal injury claim with an insurer or in court. You have to prove that a dangerous condition existed or that the offending party acted negligently. You have to prove the offending party should have known about a dangerous condition or known that it was acting negligently while driving or doing something else that caused an accident.

You also have to prove that the dangerous condition or negligent act caused you harm. And you have to show the harm caused by damage, such as personal injury, property damage, or both.

Obtain Medical Treatment

Medical treatment is a must for any personal injury case. It is the best way to get a professional medical diagnosis that affirms harm occurred. It also shows the extent of the harm caused and affixes a cost for treating the personal injury. The sooner you get medical treatment, the more valid your personal injury claims become.

Gather All Available Evidence

You need to take photos of dangerous conditions or accident scenes following a mishap that caused your personal injury. If any witnesses are available, you should try to obtain their contact information and ensure their testimony would support your claim. Photos, witness statements, and other evidence could confirm another party caused the accident.

Retain an Attorney

You need to retain an experienced personal injury attorney. Your attorney can help you to present a strong case. The attorney also stops insurers, other attorneys, and bill collectors from contacting you while the case is active. All communication must go through your attorney until the case has concluded in your favor.

According to the CDC, there are over 39 million people injured in the United States every single year. With such high numbers, chances are you might one day fall victim to a personal injury. There are several steps you can take to ensure you get the best settlement after a personal injury, and avoid making common mistakes that can cause you to forfeit a larger settlement.

Keep Track Of All Injuries

When you argue your case in front of a judge or jury, they will want to see why a settlement is justified for your pain and suffering. Many people make the mistake of not taking the time and working after their injury. They might also continue to complete day to day activities in an effort to hide their injuries and move past them.

Unfortunately, not taking the time to document your injuries and heal from them can give the impression that your injuries were not serious. On the contrary, even simple injuries such as slips and falls can lead to negative consequences. It’s best to not hide or mask your injuries, and instead, document them through doctor’s visits, journals, and at work.

Know Your Rights

It’s important to understand your rights after an injury. If the injury is the fault of someone else, including your work place, you are entitled to a proper settlement to pay for your pain and suffering and future medical expenses. Many insurance companies will pretend they are on your side, however, they are always fighting to keep their pockets full. Insurance companies offer low settlements in an effort to make you settle out of court and not continue to fight for your rights. Never settle for a first offer, and always seek to take cases to trial if the insurance company continues to be unfair.

Get Professional Help

In addition to properly documenting your injuries and taking the time to heal, it’s also best to get professional help. A dedicated personal injury lawyer can walk you through the entire settlement process. From filing your claim in court in a timely manner, to not accepting the first settlement, and helping gather evidence for your claim, a lawyer will argue on your behalf.

When you head out on a trip to the grocery store, to your job, or anywhere else for that matter, there is always a chance you can be involved in some type of accident and injured as a result of it. It is a great idea to always have in mind the name and number of a trusted and experienced personal injury attorney you can call right away if you find yourself in any type of situation in which you have been injured due to the fault of others.

What Do Personal Injury Lawyers Do?

Personal injury lawyers can help you if you’re involved in any type of motor vehicle accident, including car, motorcycle, and even pedestrian incidents. They can also assist you if you have been involved in some type of boat or watercraft accident as well as burn injuries or injuries you sustained due to construction while you are out and about. They could also help you if your child is injured, if you receive a dog bite, or if you are loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse or medical malpractice. They can also help if you are injured in some sort of swimming accident or suffer a sports injury, or even a slip and fall incident. Personal injury attorneys also handle product liability claims and wrongful death lawsuits. Basically, you can suffer a personal injury incident at any time and in any place, even places you may not have thought of before.

How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Assist You?

You will meet with your personal injury attorney for a consultation to determine if you have a strong case. He or she will then assist you throughout the entire process of filing, and hopefully, winning your personal injury claim. Keep in mind that if you are involved in an accident, there are several things your personal attorney will ask you to do so if possible, you should contact your lawyer from the scene or immediately after seeking medical treatment. An experienced personal injury lawyer will have the knowledge and experience to represent you properly when it comes to dealing with insurance companies and other parties. They will also represent you in a court case if needed and will help you navigate through that complex system to garner the result and relief you are seeking. Contact a personal injury lawyer today if needed and get your case started!