Following an injury, not only do you have to worry about the cost of prescription drugs, but also paying for treatments, surgeries, hospital visits, and medical equipment. You should try to file your case as soon as possible and be sure to check the statute of limitations in your area. For example, you have four years after the date of your accident to file a personal injury claim in Florida. Here is what else you need to know about filing a personal injury claim.
Why Should You Consider Saving Money With A Personal Injury Claim?
If you slip and fall on someone’s property that should have been better maintained, the leg or spine injury might get worse over the years. You’d be at risk for loss of employment, forced to change careers, and maybe be disabled to the point of not being able to walk. These nightmare situations are worst-case scenarios. Still, you can start saving money by getting compensated for the injury you suffered.
The expenses you incur aren’t limited to medical costs. An injury could make it difficult to care for the structural integrity or cleanliness of your home, resulting in additional damage in home renovation costs. Likewise, mistakenly choosing the wrong lawyer, not following the right legal steps, or treating an injury inappropriately could cost you.
What Steps Should You Take to Pursue a Personal Injury Claim?
There are plenty of ways to venture in the wrong direction. But two steps are all it takes to be on your way to getting compensated for an injury. The idea is to prove the existence and expense of an injury and find someone who can help you negotiate the claim.
Seek Medical Attention and Document the Details
About 96% of personal injury cases are settled pre-trial. But what proof would you have that an injury occurred if cuts, gauze, casts, or wheelchairs weren’t visible? Symptoms change over time, so seek medical attention right after an injury. Falling, breaking a bone, or suffering a burn are medical emergencies that may require, X-rays, doctor’s notes, and discharge summaries to support your claim.
You’ll also need to document expenses associated with your injury. That means showing the financial burden of the injury. You’ll need to show that an injury affected you financially, either because you had to pay, or because you couldn’t meet other financial obligations as the result of the medical expense. However, gathering this information and negotiating a claim is still a challenging process.
Contact an Attorney To Discuss Your Case
The attorneys who represent you have your best interests at heart. However, your claims may be more complex than you think. An attorney will help you start saving money by navigating the legal process and negotiating on your behalf to settle the claim in a way that awards you the most money. You can trust that after you’ve sought medical expenses and communicated with a lawyer, you have more control over the direction your case takes. Your lawyer’s knowledge of the law and understanding of your hardship will prepare you for a quick fight against those responsible for your injury.
The defendant may not simply be able to deny responsibility because your attorney will be equipped with technical knowledge and legal insight. By collecting the facts, your attorney can represent you if you suffered an injury from a vehicle crash or other serious accident. Drugs other than alcohol are involved in approximately 18% of motor vehicle deaths. A defendant may want to argue that you were under the influence or mentally incapacitated in some way. Fortunately, an attorney can contradict that claim after discussing the case with you.
After you’ve contacted an attorney, you’ll be on your way to negotiating a settlement. The sooner you stand up for yourself by contacting a lawyer, the better your chances of winning a personal injury claim. There may be medical expenses associated with an injury, but knowing about the personal injury claim process is the first step toward victory.
