Accidents can cause more than just physical harm. When someone else’s recklessness and negligence have led to horrific injuries on your part, you can’t simply let them off the hook with just a slap on the wrist. You need to fight for what you deserve: a big payout that’s enough to help you get back on your feet and recover from the physical and emotional trauma you’ve just experienced.
The only way you can do that is to file a personal injury claim so you can move on with your life. It may look easy on the surface but it requires a great deal of preparation if you want a monetary outcome that’s more than ideal. Keep in mind that the other party will try to discredit your claim and insist on paying an amount lower than what you’ve experienced as a result of the accident. To counter, it pays to know what to do to increase your potential payout. The guide below lays down the basics:
1. Don’t delay when filing a claim
Taking legal action is your right but it pays to know you have a time limit to follow or else you lose the chance to invoke that right. In a personal injury case, a statute of limitations is applied to define the timeframe within which you’re allowed to file a claim. While you’re given two years at most to take legal action, it’s still a good rule of thumb to file your claim immediately. Any delay will only render any evidence you present less credible, causing the other side to question its validity and refuse liability.
2. Gather quality evidence
Winning a bigger payout from a personal injury claim relies largely on the evidence you have on your side. It’s crucial to know the details that will substantiate the fact that the other party was at fault and that the severity of the accident has led to significant medical costs and property repairs.
Taking photographs is part of evidence gathering so document your injuries as well as additional damages found on the site of the accident. Eyewitness testimonies will further add credibility to visual proof so write down the names of people who were present during the accident and ask them what exactly their eyes saw. To further increase your potential payout, keep receipts from your healthcare provider as well as documents such as x-rays of your injuries and medical findings.
3. Look for an experienced attorney
With the evidence you’ve already gathered, you might think you could represent yourself in court. It’s possible but a successful outcome is not guaranteed. If anything, it’s a bad idea to stand in as your attorney when you’re faced with complex legal challenges and processes that come your way.
You need an expert by your side to make sense of the process and structure a rock-solid case that promises not just your initial demands but also extra compensation based on the facts that surface. If you’re wondering what to do if you’ve been injured in Carbondale, PA, opt to find a lawyer who specializes in the type of personal injury claim you plan on launching.
4. Factor in long-term damages
If you calculate your medical expenses and other immediate costs, you come up with an initial estimate for the payout you deserve. That doesn’t even cover other aspects that will increase the final compensatory amount. Your attorney may put forward the principle of pain and suffering to reflect the long-term economic and non-economic damages you will be facing in the aftermath of the accident, especially if you suffered horrific injuries or lost a loved one in the process.
These may include a reduction in your ability to earn enough income in the future, especially if you’re left disabled. You also need to consider the psychological hurt you’ve suffered which may require long-term medication and therapy. Considering all this, you will have an amount far greater than your initial estimate.
Endnote
When you’re injured, it matters to fight for your right to a substantial payout that covers the full extent of your hardship.