Personal injury claims can result from a wide variety of accidents and incidents. Often, the person who incurs an injury wants to know their rights, their best course of action, and ultimately how they can recover damages (monetary compensation) for any losses they’ve experienced. Here are the resources for resolving personal injury claims.
1. Engage an Attorney
When pursuing a personal injury claim, be sure to hire an attorney who can help you negotiate a fair settlement. Choose one who has experience helping clients obtain compensation for their injuries. For instance, a pedestrian accident lawyer can help you collect damages from a negligent driver in an accident.
2. Contact the Insurance Company
The insurance company that insured the party that caused your injury may be liable for paying for any losses you incur due to their negligence. To do this, contact the insurance company, and ask for compensation for damages once you’ve been treated and released from the hospital or doctor’s office. This serves as your personal injury claim.
3. Consider Filing a Lawsuit
You may need to file a lawsuit if you and your attorney decide to pursue legal action. Many people do not file lawsuits because they’re worried about how much money or time it costs to fight their case in court. However, consider all other options before deciding not to take legal action.
4. Accept a Compromise
If you don’t think your case can be resolved through legal action, a compromise might be your best option. A compromise is a settlement reached between the parties involved in an accident or incident. The insurance company will probably offer to pay for your medical expenses and any monetary damage you’ve suffered in exchange for simply ending the dispute and allowing the matter to go away. Look into all of your options before deciding not to accept this type of settlement.
5. Know Your Legal Rights
Under the law, you have the right to be compensated for your injuries and losses incurred because of someone else’s negligence. In most states, a neighbor or friend driving your car negligently can be held liable for the damages caused. For instance, if a driver injures you in an accident and your friend is driving the other vehicle, he can be held responsible and ordered to pay damages.
Conclusion
The law is always changing, and there are often multiple options for a victim of injury to pursue. These resources will help you determine your circumstance’s best course of action.
Author Info: Hannah Whittenly is a freelance writer and mother of two from Sacramento, CA. She enjoys kayaking and reading books by the lake. You can find her on Twitter.
