Unfortunately, there is a lot that can go wrong in people’s daily lives. Sometimes, through no fault of their own, they end up being injured. Sometimes, these injuries are so severe that they result in permanent disability or disfigurement. If that is the case, you should be seeking out a legal remedy for obtaining compensation. With that in mind, below are steps you can take to file an injury claim with a personal injury lawyer.
Consider If Insurance Will Cover the Injuries
In certain cases, your injury may be covered by insurance held by the injuring party. This may be the case, for example, if a car insurance policy will pay for an injury sustained after a car accident. The existence of such insurance is very important to know. Investigate what kind of insurance the injuring party has. The existence of such insurance coverage may end up determining how much you can collect from a defendant in a personal injury lawsuit.
Consult with an Attorney
While you technically can represent yourself in legal matters, it’s very rarely a good idea. Instead, you need the expertise of a seasoned attorney. Find a lawyer with extensive experience with personal injury law. Obtain a free consultation and discuss the facts of your case and present him or her with any evidence you may have. If you have a strong enough case, the personal injury lawyer in question may offer to provide their services on a contingency basis. This means you won’t have to pay until you obtain a settlement or judgment in your favor.
Seek a Settlement
A settlement occurs when both the plaintiff and defendant in an ongoing or potential lawsuit agree to come to an agreement outside of court. This often results in the plaintiff receiving financial compensation. Other agreements may also be included in the settlement. Often, the terms of settlements are not disclosed to the public. They can also be beneficial to both parties in regards to saving on legal fees as well as ending negative publicity.
Decide Whether to File
If a pretrial settlement looks unlikely, it may be best to go ahead and file the lawsuit. However, consider whether or not this is actually a good idea. Lawsuits can be expensive and time-consuming. If the party you are suing doesn’t have a lot of assets, it may not be worth it in the long run.
Unfortunately, serious injuries happen every single day. If you were injured due to the actions of another party, consider your options. You may be able to obtain compensation in a court of law.
About the Author: Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. She went to college at The Ohio State University where she studied communications. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and long walks in the park with her husky Snowball. You can find her on Twitter at @LizzieWeakley and on Facebook at facebook.com/lizzie.weakley.
