A personal injury lawyer is a specialist who can help you with the legal process and win fair financial compensation for your injuries. They will look at the incident, determine the fault, and develop a compensation amount. In case of personal injury, the Wyatt Law Firm personal injury lawyer can help you recover damages in a personal injury lawsuit. Following are the steps to recover damages in an injury lawsuit.
1. Initial Consultation
Your personal injury attorney will meet with you for an initial session to find out your personal injury claim details and to address any concerns you may have. After the initial appointment, your injury lawyer examines injury claims and advises you on the best course of action.
2. Investigation
Your personal injury lawyer immediately begins an investigation into the facts and circumstances surrounding your personal injury claim. This inquiry includes:
- Visiting the accident site to take pictures
- Collecting evidence
- Question witnesses
- Obtain medical and pharmaceutical expenses
3. Focus on Recovery
It would be great for you to focus on recovering rather than fighting for compensation. Keep a log of the medical providers you visit, out-of-pocket expenses, and the dates on which you could work due to medical treatment. A lawyer might not take your pain away, but they will cover the paperwork that would otherwise stress you out.
4. Claims with the Insurance Company
Once your lawyer has provided all the medical records, you need to file a settlement package and make a claim with the defendant’s insurance company. There is usually a negotiation process, so avoid considering a settlement without first filing a lawsuit and obtaining at least preliminary investigative documents and information from the defendant’s lawyers.
5. Negotiations for a Settlement
Usually, the defendant’s insurance company will push you for an out-of-court settlement. They don’t want to pay the complete compensation for your personal injury; however, you must decide whether to accept their offer, make a counter-offer, or start a lawsuit. Negotiations are also based on the merits of your legal claim.
6. Mediation Before Trial
Mediation is an informal settlement meeting to be overseen by a third party who is obliged to assist each party in reaching a mutually acceptable agreement and is usually ordered by the courts. If the parties reach an agreement, then a compensation agreement is signed. Afterward, the court is notified that the issue has been resolved, and the parties complete the final process required to close and dismiss the case.
7. Go to Trial if Settlement Fails
If settlement efforts fail, the case will be sent for trial. Usually, the trial period is determined by the complexity of the case and the number of witnesses. Most car accident trial cases are settled within two to three days.
Personal injuries are traumatic, but they don’t have to cost you a fortune. Each personal injury claim is unique, depending on the incident’s facts and circumstances. However, almost every personal injury claim will, at some point, go through the same seven steps that an insurance claim goes through.
