Making a personal injury claim can seem daunting, but with the right information and guidance, it can be a relatively easy process. Here is a tailor-made guide to making a personal injury claim, based on your individual needs and circumstances.
Document The Injuries
Accidents happen all around New York so it’s important to get medical aid right away after you’ve been hurt. People are advised by their personal injury lawyer working in Queens to document their injuries as soon as possible because it will help to make a claim. You should get a thorough check-up by a doctor and take pictures of any bruises, cuts, or swelling.
This will help the court see just how bad the injuries were and how they have impacted your life. It will also help to prove that the other party was at fault for the accident.
If you have been in an accident, it is important to document your injuries as soon as possible. This can be done by taking pictures or videos of the injuries, documenting any pain or discomfort that you are experiencing, and keeping track of any medical appointments or treatments that you have to go through.
Keep All Medical Bills
There will be a lot of medical bills piling up if you’ve been in an accident. These are the following:
- The initial treatment
- The ambulance ride
- The hospital stay
- Any surgeries
- Rehabilitation
You will need to keep all of these bills and any documentation related to them as part of your personal injury claim. This is so that you can be reimbursed for the cost of your medical treatment. If you have health insurance, they may cover some of the costs, but you will likely still be responsible for a portion of the bill. Make sure to keep track of everything so that you can get compensated for it later on.
You should not pay for any of these medical bills upfront if you can help it. If your insurance does not cover the entire cost, ask the provider to put you on a payment plan. This way, you will not have to pay out of pocket for any of the costs and can wait to be reimbursed later.
Prove Liability
It’s important that you prove that it was someone else’s fault that you got hurt. To do this, you’ll need to show that the other person was negligent. This means that they didn’t take proper care to prevent an accident from happening. For example, if you were in a car accident, you would need to show that the other driver wasn’t paying attention or was driving recklessly.
If you slipped and fell at a store, you would need to show that the store didn’t clean up a spill or put out a sign warning people about it. Proving liability can be difficult, so it’s important to talk to a personal injury lawyer who can help you gather evidence and build your case.
Argue How It Affected Your Life
Injuries can hurt you not only physically, but also emotionally and financially meaning you might not be able to work and earn money. If you’ve been in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you could make a personal injury claim against the person responsible to help cover the cost of your injuries.
For example, you can talk to the judge and explain how being in the accident has changed your life. If you’ve been arguing with your partner more since the accident, say so. The same goes for any financial problems you’ve had because of it, from not being able to work to having to pay for extra childcare.
You can also talk about how your injuries have affected your mental health. For example, if you were in a car accident and now have anxiety about driving, say so. This will help the judge understand how the accident has changed your life and why you’re entitled to compensation.
Hire An Attorney
Having a skilled lawyer in your corner vouching for you can be a game-changer when it comes to getting the full amount of damages you’re entitled to.
An attorney will likely have experience with cases similar to yours and will know how much your claim is worth. They will also be able to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf so that you don’t have to worry about doing it yourself.
What’s more, personal injury lawyers typically work on a contingency basis, meaning they only get paid if you win your case. So, hiring an attorney is risk-free and could help you recover the maximum amount of compensation possible.
Prepare The Paperwork
Be extra careful when you start preparing the paperwork for a personal injury claim. Any little mistake could be costly and cause a big delay in your case. If you’re not comfortable preparing the paperwork on your own, consider hiring an attorney to help you.
For example, if you plan on suing your employer for a work-related injury, you’ll need to file a notice of intent to sue with your state’s workers’ compensation board. This starts the clock ticking on the statute of limitations, so it’s important to get it right.
File The Claim
Finally, when you’re ready, it’s time to file the personal injury claim. You can do this by filling out a personal injury claim form, which you can get from your lawyer or the court. Be sure to include all pertinent information, such as the names and addresses of witnesses, medical bills, and lost wages.
Once you’ve filed the claim, it will be up to the insurance company to investigate and determine whether or not they will pay your claim. If they deny your claim, you may have to take them to court in order to get the compensation you deserve.
If you’ve been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, filing a personal injury claim is the best way to get the compensation you deserve.
Accidents are never easy to go through, but if you’re preparing a case, you must document your injuries and keep all the medical bills. Prove that it was someone else’s negligence and argue how it affected your life. Hire a skilled attorney and prepare the paperwork with them. After that, you’ll be ready to file a personal injury claim. Good luck in court!
