Picture this – you’re on your way to work or shopping in a supermarket when suddenly, you find yourself with multiple injuries as a result of another party’s negligence. Whether you sustained broken bones due to a distracted driver or slipped on an unmarked wet spot, you deserve justice. If you’re unsure how to proceed with a personal injury claim, keep reading to familiarize yourself with the process and learn how an Anne Arundel or Howard County personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the claim.
Seek Medical Treatment for a Personal Injury
The most important thing to do when injured in an accident caused by someone else is to seek medical treatment. If you have severe injuries, calling emergency services for emergent attention is ideal, while less urgent issues can wait to see your regular doctor.
However, it is still essential to ensure you schedule an appointment as soon as possible with your doctor for an evaluation and treatment of the injuries sustained. Not only is this beneficial to ease your pain, but waiting too long to see a doctor can make it challenging to prove the extent of your injuries to an insurance adjuster.
Speak With an Attorney
If you can, collecting evidence at the scene of the accident is crucial. However, you should seek medical attention first and foremost, if necessary. You will provide this information to your attorney to help build your case.
Your attorney will ask you to recount all the details surrounding your injury and any other information that may be pertinent to the case.
You should provide them with the evidence you gathered, including photographs, videos, and witness contact information and statements. If the attorney agrees to take on your case, they will examine the evidence, read police reports, and use that information to help prove your case.
Create Demands and Undergo Negotiations
After your attorney has reviewed the evidence, they will create a demand package to send to the insurance adjuster. This is process is known as settlement, which helps you and the negligent party avoid a lengthy courtroom battle. The demand package will include medical bills and records, photo evidence, witness statements, and documentation of loss of wages. They will then calculate the damages sustained and demand a settlement.
Typically, the insurance adjuster will not accept the first demand but will counter-offer with a lower amount. It is up to you whether you want to accept or move to court, where a judge or jury will decide the outcome.
If you’re ready to receive justice for the personal injuries you’ve sustained, reach out to the Law Offices of Debra Saltz. We will fight hard to help you get compensation for your injuries.
