Americans who are the victims of the negligent or unreasonable actions of others are entitled to seek financial damages for the harm they have suffered. However, such personal injury lawsuits can be complicated, and the mere filing of a claim does not guarantee that the plaintiff will receive adequate compensation. These are five rules to follow that can help you the victim receive the justice you deserve.
Watch What You Say
Even though you may be at least partly responsible for an accident, you would be wise to make no such admissions to anyone at the scene. Such information can be used against you in court, perhaps even reducing your compensation to little or nothing.
Document the Facts
Certain accidents, especially traffic crashes, can be complicated events, often making it difficult to determine culpability. You or someone working on your behalf should document the facts, preferably by photography, as soon as possible. The elements of an accident need to be recorded for use in the investigation or in subsequent litigation.
Notify the Proper Authorities
In cases of significant accidents, local police or fire officials will often conduct their own investigations. The information they obtain may be useful in any subsequent legal action. In the event of a traffic accident, you also need to notify your insurance company to determine damages and help guarantee that the compensation is sufficient to cover the amount required.
Seek Medical Attention
Injuries suffered in many accidents often seem manifestly minor, but they may be long-term in nature. This is why it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even though symptoms that appear weeks or months later may be directly linked to an injury, proving the connection in court may be a difficult task. In the event of certain types of injuries, the advice of medical specialists should be sought to assure a proper diagnosis of the condition.
Consider Legal Assistance
An attorney can be the best advocate for the victim of any type of accident. A lawyer can advise a client on whether to accept a settlement out of court or whether to proceed to trial, doing either for the purpose of reaching the fairest possible outcome in a case.
Firms like Pritzker Law extends itself into many areas of personal injury law, from medical malpractice to traffic accidents. In the event of a personal injury, its lawyers can help you obtain the compensation to which you may be entitled.
This article is from Lizzie Weakley, a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. She went to college at The Ohio State University where she studied communications. She enjoys the outdoors and long walks in the park with her three-year-old husky Snowball.
