If you have been in an accident, you may not know what to do. How can you control your case in such a state? Read on to find out what you should be doing.
When in a car accident, write down what happened as soon as you are safe to do so. For example, what you were doing when it happened, how you are hurt, what damage there is to your car, what damage there is to the other car, and what you think caused the accident or how the other driver was at fault.
File a report with the police. Filing a police report will give you an official way to document names, date, and time of the incident, as well as the contact information of other involved parties. In many cases, this will be your official record of what occurred. This police report will also be valuable evidence should your case go to trial.
There is no rush, so slow down when seeking out a personal injury attorney. Take your time and check out all of your options. Do your research for each both in person and online. The more time you take to select the best lawyer, the more likely you are to truly get the best.
Make copies of all forms to help organize your personal injury case. From prescription receipts to doctor's diagnoses, keep it all together. Also, save email copies from your doctor about your injuries.
Try to learn about the basics of how a personal injury case is evaluated. Similar to a stool, they are mainly evaluated on three principles: liability, damages, and collectability. Liability refers to how bad the action is, the evidence, and the facts of the case. Damages refers to the seriousness of the injuries and the opinions of witnesses and medical staff. Collectability refers to insurance coverage, policies, and assets.
The only people you should discuss a personal injury case with are your insurance agent, your spouse and your attorney. If an insurance adjuster calls you to record a statement about how the accident occurred, give them the number of your attorney and tell them that this is who should be called if they have any additional questions.
Speak with a bar association to determine the lawyers that are in your area that practice what you need. This will not provide you a ranking of the best lawyers, but will give you a good start on finding one. The American Bar Association is a good place for you to start this process.
Never hire a divorce lawyer to oversee your personal injury case. This may seem like common sense, but many people feel that the lawyer they've already dealt with is great, so why not get them to help? Instead, ask them for a referral for someone who specializes in this type of law.
Work with a company that focusses solely on the subject of personal injury law. A law firm that handles a number of different legal fields, such as family, tax and criminal law, may not have the experience to secure you a good monetary settlement. An experienced personal injury law firm will handle all aspects of your case such as the initial investigation, offering advice, drafting documents and court representation.
You need a retainer agreement before getting an attorney's services. This way you'll avoid surprises by knowing what the fees will be upfront. In this agreement, work out a payment plan and procedures to end representation if the attorney does not work out.
If your personal injuries are minor, you probably do not want to hire a personal injury lawyer. The medical costs of something like a bruised leg would not justify the expense of hiring an attorney. In those cases, try to work things out with the other party amicably, or take them to small claims court.
Just because you saw a lawyer advertised on TV does not mean he is your best option. Pomp and pageantry doesn't go far in court, so research all of your options and choose the one who wins the most for their clients, both in cases won and monetary damages awarded.
There are many different law specialties dealing with personal injury. For example, there are attorneys that only specialize in automobile accidents. Another type of common personal injury attorney is a worker's compensation lawyer. To ensure that you hire the appropriate attorney, ask if your lawyer specializes in the type of personal injury lawsuits you are suing for.
You should always prepare yourself prior to speaking with your personal injury lawyer. This is especially critical if your lawyer has taken your case on contingency. The lawyer only may choose your case if the case is greatly in your favor, so they might not work with you if you don't present it well. Get together all of your documentation, and rehearse how you will present your case.
Stay in touch with the claims adjuster for your personal injury case. Although it does take time for him or her to review court and medical records, they will eventually resolve the matter for you. Send polite letters of inquiry and make occasional phone calls to check the status of your case and don't give up on it.
Be forthcoming about information with your doctor. Exaggerating the extent of the injuries suffered may cause you to undergo treatment you simply don't need, which can be harmful. Honesty is the best policy, even if it hurts your chances at a big reward.
Always have an up-front, face-to-face meeting with the personal injury lawyer before you make a commitment to their services. Your lawyer will be your trusted friend over the next few weeks and if you aren't comfortable around them, things simply won't work. It's always great to have a lawyer who you could see yourself hanging around even if there had been no accident.
As previously stated, people aren't usually ready to handle a personal injury case following an accident. Even if this time is stressful, you should remember the tips shared here. This is the best way to ensure that you will be properly compensated.
Orignal From: Personal Injury Tips You Really Need To Know
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