No matter what kind of personal injury accident you’ve endured, it’s going to cost you. Why should you be forced into a financial hole because someone else was negligent?
Furthermore, your accident could cause injuries that affect you for the rest of your life. This is why many injury victims file a personal injury claim. If you’re thinking about filing a claim, here are the five steps you must take right away.
1. Do Not Wait to Get Medical Treatment
Some injuries aren’t noticeable for days or even weeks after your personal injury incident, and if you don’t get medical treatment, they could get worse. From a legal standpoint, you should get immediate medical treatment to document your injuries. This shows your injuries were a result of the accident and can’t be claimed as a pre-existing condition by the defendant’s insurance company.
2. Document Every Detail
Every bit of information and documentation you can provide will be an asset to your case. As the plaintiff, you need to prove that the other party was negligent in the actions that led to your injuries. If possible, take photos and videos, get contact information from any witnesses, and keep a file of all the bills and financial costs you’ve incurred from your injuries.
3. Never Speak About Your Accident
The more people you talk to about your accident, the more those statements can be used against you. Posting on social media is a huge mistake, and the defendant’s attorney will be more than happy to pull any photos of you smiling at dinner with your family to negate your claims. It doesn’t matter if you were putting on a happy face and smiling through your pain. If you need to talk to someone, talk to your lawyer about your case.
4. Have an Attorney Review Your Settlement First
You may be excited when the insurance company makes a settlement offer, but this first offer may not be sufficient. Your injuries could require years of medical treatment, and if this isn’t reflected in the settlement offer, you shouldn’t accept it. Work with an attorney to ensure the amount you are offered is fair.
5. Let a Personal Injury Lawyer Represent You
You may think you can handle your personal injury claim by yourself. But if you’re dealing with major injuries that put you in the hospital or kept you out of work for a while, you shouldn’t be without representation.
With the help of a personal injury lawyer in San Jose, you will have someone advocating for you. While you’re healing, they can find evidence, talk to witnesses, and work on gathering more proof you were not at fault for your injuries. You will also have someone to calculate the full extent of your damages from this incident and fight for your compensation.
Insurance companies often take advantage of injury victims and their lack of knowledge of personal injury law. However, a good personal injury attorney won’t stand for that and will stand up for you throughout the entire process.
