Charlotte Injury Lawyers Blog
Five Tips for Filing Personal Injury Claims
Your life can change very quickly when you have been seriously hurt in an accident. If you are injured due to the negligence of another, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. Your damages include your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, as well as any other costs you incurred directly as a result of the accident. In some cases, it can be challenging to deal with insurance companies, and they may even deny your claim. It is helpful to work with an experienced personal injury attorney to assist you in seeking the money you deserve.
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Follow Doctor’s Orders
It is best to get medical attention as soon as possible after an accident. It is especially important to get the care you need and follow the doctor’s orders and recommendations. If you fail to heed instructions, you could find that your medical claim might get denied or reduced. Be sure to go to any follow-up appointments. If your doctor refers you to a specialist, make sure that you continue the recommended treatment. Attend rehabilitation if your doctor tells you to do so. Do not go back to work until you are cleared by a physician.
Gather Evidence
You will need to prove your damages in a personal injury claim. Keep copies of all your medical bills, including every time you visit your doctor or medical facility. Other types of evidence that you may need include police reports, witness statements or testimony, doctor’s testimony, and detailed medical reports. Keep in mind that you will need to prove that you sustained injuries and that your injuries were caused by the negligence of someone else.
Consider Your Damages
All too often, a person who is hurt in a car accident is left with long-term medical needs. You will need to know not only the damages you already incurred but also those that you will later incur due to your injury. Damages may include both economic and non-economic in nature. Economic damages are those that have actual costs. Non-economic damages are those that do not have an actual cost associated with them. Some examples of non-economic damages are pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and other emotional pain, such as PTSD, anxiety, etc.
Do Not Take the First Insurance Settlement Offer
It is no secret that insurance companies prefer to settle claims for the least amount of money possible. The insurance representative may offer you a check rather soon following an accident. If you accept the offer and cash the check, you will waive your right to take any further action or seek any additional money. It is best to speak to an attorney before you agree to any type of settlement offer. If the offer is too low, it won’t provide you with enough funds to cover your medical costs and other damages and you will be left owing money out of your own pocket.
Talk to an Experienced Attorney
Often, those who have legal representation will get a much better settlement than those who try to resolve the matter on their own. A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer understands how to work with insurance companies to get the best results for your claim. While most claims result in settlements, sometimes a fair settlement cannot be reached. In these instances, a court will need to resolve the matter. If you or someone you love was hurt in an accident that was not your fault, we can help you get the money you deserve. Contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC, today at (704) 370-2828 to request a consultation.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.
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