Getting Help With Your Recovery

« Back to Home

5 Steps To Winning A Personal Injury Case

Posted on

When you are injured in an accident, you are likely to suffer losses. Sometimes getting past those losses will require you to bring a personal injury claim against the insurance company of the person or business that caused the accident. Here are several things you can do to give yourself a better chance of winning your personal injury case. 

See a Doctor

It is important that you get medical care after a car accident, a fall or other type of injury. Even if the pain is minor, it will need to be documented if it turns out that you need to file a personal injury claim. If your pain increases over time or if additional injuries show themselves, it will be much easier to document your medical needs if you are seen by a physician from the beginning. 

Your chances of winning a personal injury lawsuit will be very low if you don't seek medical care because medical bills are almost always the bulk of a claim. It is hard to win a claim that is based only on personal suffering. 

Calculate All Medical Expenses

Be sure that you keep copies of all your medical bills and document what you paid for out of pocket. Keep a running total of these expenses. 

You will also want to ask all of your doctors to give you a statement detailing which procedures you are likely to need in the future because of your injuries and the cost of each. If your prognosis changes, get another letter from your doctor. Your claim is going to include medical bills you have paid in addition to medical bills you expect to have in the future because of the accident. It is important that you have a medical professional stating that you need these procedures and that they are related to the accident. 

Consider Additional Costs

Keep track of expenses that you incur due to the accident but beyond medical expenses. Consider income you have lost because of time missed from work as well as transportation to and from medical specialists. Keep receipts for all of these costs as well as an ongoing calculation of the total amount you have spent. 

You should also document as accurately as possible any mental or emotional suffering you and your family have been through. If you can, have any mental challenges documented in writing by a mental health professional. AllLaw.com suggests keeping a diary of any mental symptoms you have after your accident. If other people in your family, such as your children, have shown signs of emotional distress as a direct repercussion of your accident, be sure you write that down. 

Hire the Right Lawyers

You can negotiate with the insurance company on your own, but be aware that they do this for a living and that their job is to get their company to pay the least amount possible. It is usually an advantage to have your own legal representation. Of course, you must take into account the money you spend on your personal injury attorney. In some cases your claim will not be enough for paying a lawyer to make sense. 

When choosing an attorney to represent you in a personal injury case, be sure to choose someone with experience in your specific type of case. Some attorneys specialize in injuries from car accidents, dog bites or slips and falls. The more experience the attorney has specific to your case, the better chance you have of a good outcome. 

You should feel confident that your lawyer has a plan in your case and is committed to helping you prove your injuries to a court. You should also look for an attorney with a reputation as a tough negotiator who has a record of good settlements and success in trials. 

Exercise Patience

The law can be very slow, and moving through a court case can require a great deal of time and paperwork. Be patient with the process, and trust your attorney. 

An injury can devastate your life as well as the lives of your family members. If you have experienced an accident, you may find that you need to file a lawsuit. Be sure you are doing all you can to have a successful outcome in your case. 


Share