By: Kim Hemphry
About the Author:
Kim Hemphry is a passionate expert in the areas of Legal Matters, learning, and education. She has been featured on over 50 leading Legal and education sites and is a modern thought leader in the field.
Accidents can occur at any time and for many reasons. From getting into a car accident to slipping on the sidewalk, we’ve all been there before. But, regardless of what caused it, you may have some questions about your injury.
From medical bills to lost wages and even pain and suffering due to your injury, it costs a lot of money just to recover. This is why many choose to hire professionals like lawyers or paralegals for their personal injury claims.
Tip #1- Ask Questions
If you’ve been injured in an accident and are dealing with injuries that affect your lifestyle, schedule a consultation with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the incident. You should never overlook this step because it will help you determine whether or not hiring an attorney is the best choice for your specific situation.
Tip #2- Don’t Rush the Process
When dealing with an accident that is very serious or that has been life-changing, it may be tempting for people to want to get everything settled right away. However, this can lead them to make rash decisions that they will regret later on down the road.
Tip #3- Try Alternative Methods First
Depending on your situation, it may be possible to settle your case without going through litigation or hiring an attorney. However, if you are dealing with minor injuries that don’t affect your ability to work, speaking directly with the insurance company may be an option.
Tip #4- Don’t Assume Anything
Even though you may believe that the insurance company will take care of everything for you, it is your responsibility to ensure that they are doing as much as they can. Insurance companies often send their clients letters and other forms of communication with instructions on how to handle things like therapy appointments, lost wages, and any future medical bills.
Tip #5- Don’t Hold Back
If you aren’t completely honest with your doctor, they may overlook symptoms important in helping them figure out the cause of your injury. Many who have suffered from an injury don’t always think about their doctors as a source of support in getting the money and compensation they deserve.
Tip #6- Keep Moving Forward
Even though it may seem overwhelming to deal with an injury on top of everything else going on in your life, you need to remember that yes, it is hard, but you are strong enough to overcome it. If you need to reach out to a support group, then don’t hesitate to do so. It is okay to share your story with others who are going through similar things.
Tip #7- Keep Track of Your Progress
If you are dealing with an injury and the circumstances surrounding it have changed, such as losing your job or not working for a while, make sure that you write everything down for yourself or your attorney to see how this will affect your settlement amount down the road. Keeping these records organized and easily accessible can help keep the case moving along smoothly and document any changes that might have occurred since the initial incident took place.
Tip #8- Rely on People You Trust
When it comes to a personal injury claim, there is probably another party involved, and that means it is also up to you to try to settle on your own terms. However, this doesn’t mean that you should only rely on yourself but instead think about who else may be able to lend a helping hand.
Tip #9- Stay Positive
If you’ve recently been in an accident and need some help getting through the recovery process, then make sure to connect with other people who know what you’re going through. Also, remember that if things get too overwhelming for you or you begin feeling like you can no longer cope, then reach out and ask someone for help immediately.
Tip #10- Do What Is Best For You
You are dealing with your own personal injury claim, and thus it is only up to you to get as much compensation as possible. However, don’t forget that there are other parties involved in this case, which means it is important for them to listen to what they need. When some people deal with a case like this, their priorities may shift around but consider how you will feel if something comes up that wasn’t anticipated or discussed when decisions were being made.
In an ideal world, there would be no need for litigation. Insurance companies would compensate their customers completely without them having to go through the headache of litigation and hiring an attorney. However, this isn’t reality, and it may be time to hire a law firm with no win no pay lawyers. People are injured all the time, and insurance companies often look for ways to deny them their rightful compensation. This is why you need to hire a personal injury attorney if you ever find yourself in these situations.
