9 Things to Know About Personal Injury Lawsuits
Suffering an injury due to someone else’s negligence can be a devastating and traumatic experience. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you need to recover by helping you file a personal injury lawsuit.
If you are considering legal action following an accident, there are several important things you should know before moving forward.
Here are nine important things to know about personal injury lawsuits.
9 Things to Know About Personal Injury Lawsuits
Personal injury lawsuits are delicate, and the smallest mistake can make the difference between achieving a positive outcome in your case.
Make sure to keep the following factors in mind while proceeding with your lawsuit.
1. Insurance Companies Are Not on Your Side
While you may think your insurance company is there to protect you, they will always look for ways to reduce the amount they have to pay you following your accident. By hiring a personal injury attorney to act on your behalf, you can avoid making any costly mistakes when dealing with your insurance provider.
2. Document Everything
Documentation is key to winning personal injury lawsuits. Immediately following the accident, you should document everything you can. This should include taking pictures and videos of the accident scene and seeking medical care so that there is a clear record of your injuries. If possible, obtain names and contact information from witnesses.
3. Avoid Low Settlements
Insurance companies and lawsuit defendants will often try to settle out of court by offering low-ball settlements. While these settlements can seem attractive as they allow you to avoid going to court and move on with your recovery, you may not receive as much as you deserve.
A personal injury attorney can negotiate settlements on your behalf and represent you in court if litigation is necessary.
4. Medical Treatment
If you do not seek medical treatment immediately following your accident, it may be used against you in court as evidence that your injury is non-existent or less severe than reported.
Make sure to seek treatment as soon as possible as it is necessary to ensure there is a clear record of your injuries.
5. You May Deserve More Than You Think
Compensation in personal injury lawsuits can be very extensive and can include money for:
- Lost wages
- Past and future medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage
An experienced attorney can help you understand how much compensation you may be eligible for so that you don’t accept less than you deserve.
6. It May Take Longer Than You Expect
Insurance carriers will often deliberately delay lawsuits using a number of tactics in an attempt to wear you down and get you to agree to a low-ball settlement offer. Be wary of this and avoid the temptation to settle due to delays in your case.
7. Litigation Might be Necessary
Not all personal injury lawsuits end in a fair settlement agreement. As such, you and your attorney should be prepared to go to court if necessary. You will need to be prepared to testify, and you may have to appear at trial.
8. Your Private Life Will be Scrutinized
Insurance carriers will use whatever evidence they can to disprove your claim and avoid paying out damages. This could include examining your social media to look for images, videos, or text posts that contradict your statements regarding the accident that resulted in your injuries.
9. Personal Injury is Not Limited to Car Accidents
While car accidents make up a substantial portion of personal injury cases, personal injury applies to any accident that is caused by somebody else’s negligence, including:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Workplace injuries
- Slip and fall injuries
- Wrongful death
- Medical malpractice
- Pedestrian accidents
If you have suffered any type of injury due to an accident that someone else is responsible for, you may be entitled to compensation.
Hire a Professional Personal Injury Lawyer
B|B Law Group is committed to providing comprehensive and affordable legal services to individuals that have suffered injuries due to negligence.
Contact us today to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer and learn more about how we can help you get the compensation you deserve.