Posted by callgentry |
If you have sustained a serious personal injury, you can bring a personal injury claim to recover damages from the entity or individual who caused the accident. If you have never made a personal injury claim previously, it may appear too complex; and if you have made a personal injury claim before, you probably understand that it is not something you wish to do by trial and error.
Jefferson City, Missouri, Personal Injury Attorneys have put together a step-by-step guide to filing a personal injury claim to help you understand the procedure.
Seek Medical Care
The most crucial thing to do following an accident where you or a loved one is hurt is to get medical attention. Some people believe that they do not require hospital care because they do not experience any acute symptoms following the car wreck or other incident. Although you might not experience any discomfort or pain immediately after the event, untreated injuries can cause severe pain and anguish later on.
Moreover, failing to seek medical attention may work against you on a claim for compensation for your injuries. The accountable party’s insurer may argue that you did not pursue treatment after the accident, to challenge the seriousness of your injuries and your claim for reimbursement.
Consult with a Professional Personal Injury Attorney
During the initial consultation, you and your attorney will discuss the specifics of your claim, including the nature of the incident and the nature and degree of your injuries. The attorney will likely ask you a series of questions. You can also inquire about the lawyer’s prior experience during this time.
The attorney may recommend the ideal course of action to follow in your claim and detail the types of damages for which you may receive compensation. You and the attorney should also talk about the lawyer’s costs. At Call & Gentry Law Group, we handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you won’t pay anything unless there is a successful recovery on your claim.
Making a Claim
The third stage in pursuing a personal injury claim is for you or your lawyer to notify the party responsible for your injuries — as well as their insurance carrier — that you want to submit a claim. This could sometimes help to expedite the resolution of your claim.
Collecting Information and Getting Medical Attention for Your Injuries
The next stage will be to keep receiving medical care while gathering as much info as necessary regarding your injuries and any damages. These may include:
- Gathering medical records and invoices from your provider
- Speak to your provider regarding the full degree of your injuries
- Determine what future medical attention you may need
- Determine how your injuries impact your daily life
- Estimate damage to property
- Compile records of lost wages
Negotiating a Settlement
Although the insurance adjusters might seem friendly, their job is to look out for the insurance company’s best interests. Having an attorney levels up the playing field. Your attorney will prepare a settlement demand package to send to the insurance company, and then likely engage in a “back and forth” settlement discussion. If a fair settlement cannot be negotiated, then your attorney may need to file suit on your behalf.
Filing a Suit
For personal injury lawsuits, there are statutes of limitations that can bar you from recovery if a lawsuit is not timely filed. Your attorney is knowledgeable about these laws and any exceptions that might apply.
A qualified attorney will aggressively battle in court against the defendant’s insurance company and their lawyers by presenting your claim in the best way possible to the jury. If you win a verdict, the jury will determine the number of damages sufficient to compensate you for all the harms suffered.
If you have particular questions about the personal injury claim process, speak with an experienced lawyer who can assist you in establishing and bringing your claim for reimbursement. Contact Call & Gentry Law Group by calling (573) 691-4567 or fill out their no-obligation case review form for a free consultation.