Accidents happen. Unfortunately, they are a part of life. However, if somebody has injured you due to their negligence, accident, or not, you are still entitled to compensation. Compensation will be paid to you to cover medical expenses, time off of work, or just emotional damages.
However, making a claim for compensation can be very confusing. If it’s not something that you have ever done before then you probably won’t have any idea what to do. Don’t worry though, because this post will explain everything that you need to know.
Acquiring Evidence
After an accident, one of the first things that you need to do is to get evidence. The best type of evidence is evidence that’s taken from the scene, like photographs or videos. If you can get concrete evidence proving your case, then you will get compensation much faster. However, it is of course not realistic to suggest that you will be able to take photos or videos on the scene of the accident if you are seriously hurt. If you have a friend or loved one with you though, then they will be able to do it for you. You could even ask witnesses to get evidence for you, too.
Medical Assistance
Medical assistance is much more important than evidence, though. Don’t even think about taking photos or videos until you have called the ambulance service. It is especially important to call an ambulance if other people are hurt, too. If you spend time taking photos and videos, then you could get into trouble later on. If anybody’s injuries turn out to be fatal and it transpires that immediately after the accident rather than calling for help you were taking photos, you may get arrested.
Legal Support
Legal support is the next step after you return home. However, it is worth noting that you have up to three years in most states to file a personal injury claim. So, you can take some time to recover if you want to. If you don’t want to though, then according to one Southfield, MI personal injury lawyer, you need to find a lawyer who’s willing to go the extra mile for you and fight for you to get the compensation that you deserve. Make sure that you read a law firm’s reviews before you hire them, so you can be sure that they offer a quality service.
Acquiring Documents
Before you can make a claim for compensation, there are certain documents that you need to acquire. One of the main documents is a medical statement, signed by your doctor. This is to prove that you suffered the injuries that you did. Insurance companies and judges will want to see such a document before they even consider agreeing to give you compensation. There are other documents that you need to get, too. However, your lawyer will tell you about this, because they vary from case to case, and depend on the type of accident.
Making Claim
The next step is to go ahead and make your claim. Again, you need to be sure that the lawyer you are hiring is qualified and experienced (which can be done by reading their reviews and checking out their website). Something else you might also want to consider is payment. It’s usually best to hire a lawyer on a contingency basis, since then you don’t have to pay them until you win your case, and you don’t owe them anything if they lose. Contingency plans are best for people who’re on very tight budgets.
Giving Statement
Once you have found a lawyer, and they have agreed to represent you and make a claim on your behalf, the next step is to give a formal statement. This statement will be recorded by your attorney, and then given to the insurance company that they deal with, or to the courts. In this statement, you must explain how the accident you were involved in has changed your life, and how your injuries have made it difficult for you to go on as normal. It is particularly important to emphasize the emotional aspect of your injuries, too. Make sure your statement is as honest and accurate as possible.
Attending Court
In some cases, you might need to go to court. However, this is rare. Personal injury cases only usually go to court if the claimant is suing a large company. Car accidents or small injury claims will be dealt with through the responsible person’s insurance agency. The only time it won’t is if they aren’t insured, in which case, again, it will have to be dealt with in the courts. Attending court can be very stressful, but your lawyer will tell you everything that you need to know and help you to understand what you are supposed to do and what is expected of you.
Recovery Time
Recovery time is essential. As mentioned previously, in some states, the statute of limitations is up to three years. This means that you can spend some time recovering from your injuries and focusing on feeling better before you make a claim. However, if you have been seriously injured and you cannot pay for your medical expenses, then you may need to make a claim as quickly as possible. While your claim won’t resolve overnight, the sooner you make it, then the sooner you can receive your compensation payment.
Receiving Settlement
Following on from the last point made in the previous section, you won’t get your compensation payment overnight. It can sometimes take up to a year before compensation is paid out. However, you should know that if you plan on making a claim for compensation and are unable to work, you may qualify for disability benefits. Disability benefits can be paid to you so that you can support yourself while you are out of work and in recovery. You may continue to receive disability benefits after you have received your payment if you are unable to return to work. Your lawyer can help you file for disability benefits.
In Conclusion
Accidents are just an unfortunate part of life. If you have been involved in one, then you need a lawyer’s help. A lawyer will be able to aggressively fight for you to get the money that you need to live a normal life with the injuries you have sustained because of your accident.
