It can be a pain to deal with legal issues, but it’s worth it later on. You’ll ensure that the person isn’t negligent in the future, causing more harm. If you have suffered from an injury and do not know where to turn, use the following tips.
As soon as the accident happens, write down everything you can think of.
It is the details which ensure your case is tried fairly, and those details may become foggy over time. Especially where fault isn’t obvious, knowing all of the details can alter the view of the person presiding over your case.
Try considering only experienced attorneys that focus on personal injury law. Since this type of a law is a niche, it is important to find an attorney that concentrates on personal injury instead of one that is trying to be a jack-of-all trades. You also want someone with several years of experience in the niche, not one that has to study up on it for your case.
Never commit to a personal injury lawyer until you have the breakdown of your fees in place. If you are short on money at the time, speak with your lawyer to determine if a payment plan can be set up so that you do not face additional stress after your case.
Ask your friends and family for personal injury lawyer referrals.
There are countless personal injury lawyers out there, due to the large amount of money that they can make, but that does not mean that they are all good. If you do not already have a lawyer in mind you should seek the help of those that you know and trust.
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.
You should not think about settling your case until all of your symptoms have disappeared. This is important because you may settle and then realize later that the injuries you have are much more serious than anyone thought they were, which means you were entitled to receive more than you received.
Make sure the lawyer you choose has good experience with personal injury cases.
Do not judge the lawyer by how many times he settled, but by what he was able to do for his clients. A personal injury lawyer may have many “successful” cases where he settled for less then he should have.
If you have to purchase and prescriptions or medical equipment as a result of an injury, make sure that you get the receipts and turn them in to your attorney. He will submit them as evidence and it may help you receive a bigger settlement than you had originally anticipated.
If you have been involved in a slip and fall accident, you will need to have proof of the accident. At the time of the accident, take photographs of the site and get signed witness statements. You should also take note if there was “wet floor” sign at the location.
If you are involved in an accident, don’t apologize.
Keep your mouth shut and wait for the police. This can be used to help prove your fault in an accident. You might even think you’re at fault, but don’t jump to that conclusion just yet.
You do not need a personal injury attorney if your injuries are not that significant. It will simply cost too much money to get a lawyer on board if you only have a few cuts and scrapes on your body. If, however, your injuries are causing you to miss work or seek out quite a bit of medical care, it is important to speak with someone in the legal field.
Legal Advice
Get legal advice before agreeing to any settlement. There is a good chance that the offending party will want to pressure you into settling. Settlements can quickly become complicated if you do not know what you are doing. A lawyer handling it will help prevent you from signing away what you are owed.
If you think you may have a case against a business or person over an injury you have sustained, seek legal advice immediately. You will need to collect evidence fast, as the cause of your injury could quickly be fixed, leaving you with no proof of negligence! Gather as much data as you can and follow the advice of a qualified attorney.
Visiting a million doctors and interviewing a hundred lawyers can feel overwhelming, but it is important to do so if you have been injured. We hope you have found just the advice you need to win your case by reading this article. Always follow your lawyer’s advice and be sure never to miss any appointments or court dates.