Have you been injured in an accident? In the moments immediately after the incident, a personal injury settlement was likely the last thing on your mind. No matter how your injury occurred, you may experience physical, emotional, or financial stress. This article covers what you need to do to obtain the fair compensation you deserve.
1. Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
As soon as the dust settles, talking to a personal injury lawyer is the best thing you can do. While with some more minor claims, hiring a lawyer may not make sense financially; you will still benefit from speaking with one.
An Ajax personal injury lawyer can clarify your legal rights; in many cases, hiring one will be the best action you can take to obtain your injury settlement. Going up against insurance companies, who have their lawyers, is a challenging feat. It’s no secret that insurance companies are always looking out for their interests, not yours. Hire your injury lawyer to advocate for you and fight for your deserved settlement.
2. Be Thorough
Being thorough in reporting the incident and any after-effects is of the utmost importance. You need to be meticulous in recording every detail you can remember. If there were any witnesses, see if you can collect statements from them. The more information you provide your lawyer, the better they can help you.
Remember that the opposing party will want to pay out as little as possible, so having extensive documentation can help you prove your case. Keep all your medical documentation, police reports, and receipts from everything having to do with the injuries you sustained.
3. Seek Treatment Immediately
If you need medical treatment for injuries, ensure you get it as soon as possible. Even if you aren’t sure if you need to see a doctor, it’s a good idea to have an assessment. A doctor can order imaging or other tests to identify if you have any injuries that aren’t immediately apparent.
The longer you wait to see a physician, the harder it will be to prove any symptoms stem from the accident, which will inevitably result in a lower settlement amount.
4. Take Photos
The saying a picture is worth a thousand words is valid. Photo evidence is one of the best things you can present as proof of your accident claim. Visual evidence can make a big difference when proving what happened to you.
The pictures you take may include scenes from the accident, damages to any property, or even photos of the injuries you sustained due to the incident. And don’t hesitate to take lots of pictures; you can never have too many.
5. Protect your Mental Heath
The assessments and examinations you undergo don’t need to be limited to medical doctors. Accidents can cause emotional and psychological injury as well. You might have some emotional damage too. It is common after an accident to have flashbacks or anxiety.
Don’t hesitate to seek therapy to receive treatment for post-accident reactions. Your mental well-being is essential. Be sure to keep records of all appointments and treatments so that you can use them to support your claim.
6. Prepare as if you are Going to Trial
Ninety-five percent of personal injury cases are settled rather than going through the courts. However, it would be best if you were still prepared for the possibility that your case may end up being a part of the five percent that goes to trial.
This preparation may involve hiring an engineer to visit the accident scene and provide a report or hiring a private investigator. The evidence provided by these experts can be vital additions to solidifying your case if you cannot settle with the other party.
7. Be Patient
You want to be compensated for your injuries, and it’s understandable to want to maximize that compensation. Understanding that it will take time to get the payout you deserve is helpful. Of course, you’d like to settle the issues as quickly as possible, and the other side knows this. They may offer you compensation quickly that doesn’t match up to how much you deserve or that you could receive if you are patient.
Your lawyer is the best person to advise you in these instances, but you generally never take the first offer. Always consult your injury lawyer when a settlement is offered to you. They will help you determine if it’s an acceptable offer or not.
If you have had an accident, the last thing you need to worry about is how you will cover the costs associated with the accident itself and your recovery. The world of personal injury settlements can be complex and confusing, especially if you attempt to figure it out independently. Hiring the right personal injury lawyer is always your best course of action.
