Were you the victim of a personal injury accident and you're not sure how to handle it? You're not alone. Many people never dream of being in that position until it is too late and it's happening to them. There are several steps that you need to take to protect yourself once this occurs. This guide will walk you through the steps to take and how to get yourself help in the right places.
Find an Attorney
One of the first things you need to do is hire an attorney. They will represent you in court and are an invaluable source of knowledge and experience. You won't have to worry about filling out the paperwork wrong or missing a vital step in the court process because they will take care of it. Many personal injury lawyers will just charge you a percentage of the settlement, so you don't have to come up with the money to cover the lawyer's fees up front.
Be Prepared
When you go to meet your lawyer, you need to be prepared. This will allow the lawyer to help you in the most efficient manner. You can get prepared by collecting all the vital paperwork related to the case, such as:
Incident report
Police report
Proof of loss of wages
Insurance claim
Medical bills
You may have other paperwork necessary that isn't listed here. Your lawyer will help you figure out what it is and how to obtain it. You should also have a list of any questions or concerns that you have about the case. The lawyer will go over these with you at your meetings.
Understanding the Case
Most personal injury claims will be settled in court. The judge will hear the case and determine if you have a right to claim or not. Your lawyer will ask for a settlement based on factors like loss of wages due to injury and the cost of the medical bills related to the injury. The other party may counter it with a lower settlement. At the end of the case, you will be granted a settlement based on what the judge finds you worthy of. If your claim is thrown out, you will not receive a settlement.
Considerations
Finding a good lawyer is the key to any injury claim. Try to find an attorney with lots of experience and a good reputation; ask around or look through reviews if possible. Always go to a consultation with a new lawyer to determine if they are right for you and your specific case. For more information, contact legal offices like The Bregman Law Firm, P.C.
Being married to a semi-truck driver, I've learned a lot about what can happen when a semi-truck is involved in an accident. The risk of injuries to the other drivers is significant, but many people don't understand how to protect themselves financially after something like this happens. I've done years of research into the auto accident laws as they pertain to semi-trucks and the companies that own them. This site is a compilation of everything I've learned. I hope that it helps you if you've been affected by the carelessness or mistakes of a semi-truck driver, and encourages you to contact an attorney to protect your rights today.