If you are injured as a result of someone’s negligence, you are entitled to receive compensation from the wrongdoer. Getting the benefits you deserve from an insurance company can be tricky as a result of many factors. Fortunately, there are different measures that you can take to recover compensation from the defendant. Read on to learn the steps you can take to get a proper settlement after suffering an injury.
Report The Accident
Whatever the cause of your injury, you must report the accident to the responsible authorities. In the case of a work-related injury, report it to your supervisor immediately. If you are hurt as a result of other types of accidents, make sure you report the accident to the law enforcement agents and get an official police report. Without a police report, it might be challenging to get compensation, since insurance companies can dispute your claim. When dealing with the police, you should be cooperative and avoid falsifying information. However, never admit fault if you want to get full compensation.
Get Medical Care
You must get medical treatment from a licensed, qualified doctor,r who will examine your injuries properly and write a detailed medical report. The severity of your injuries will determine the benefits that you should recoup. The compensation you get after an injury is meant to cover all expenses related to your medical treatment. Therefore, you must be quick to visit a healthcare provider even if you are not feeling any pain. Some injuries manifest later, and this can impact your claim if you fail to get a medical report.
Consult A Personal Injury Lawyer
It is essential to seek legal representation when you suffer an injury as a result of another party’s recklessness. Seeking legal advice from The Keating Firm LTD will help you make an informed decision when dealing with people who understand legal jargon better than you do. The main reason why it is a good idea to enlist the services of a professional injury attorney is that they have experience in dealing with similar cases. Lawyers also know how to negotiate with insurance companies.
Document Everything
In most cases, insurance companies representing the at-fault parties are responsible for paying financial benefits to the accident victims. However, you should know that insurance companies are a business, and they try to seek ways to offer minimum payouts to injured persons. Likewise, it is vital to gather as much evidence as possible to support your compensation claim to increase the chances of getting a maximum settlement. You can achieve this by taking photos of your injuries and the accident scene. If possible, get details from the witnesses who were around and write a diary of everything you remember. Remember to gather credible evidence to avoid a situation where the defendants or insurance companies may dispute your claim.
File a Compensation Claim
When you have collected all the necessary details required, you should file a compensation claim. If you are injured at work, your employer is responsible for reporting the accident to the workers’ compensation commission. The commission determines the settlement you deserve. In other injury cases, you send a letter of demand to the insurance company representing the defendant. If the party responsible for the injury is not insured, you can make a direct demand for compensation.
When you file a compensation claim, you need to state the benefits you expect to get. In most cases, personal injury claims are solved out of court when the parties involved reach an agreement. Many people often wish to avoid lawsuits which can be costly. You should not rush to accept the first offer made by the defendant. Consult your injury attorney first to be able to make an informed decision.
Appeal a Denial
If you fail to agree with the other party, you can pursue your case in a court of law. A judge will hear your case and they will make an impartial judgment concerning the settlement that you should get. Do not forget that you should find out and make sure you meet the deadline to file your claim in court. Check with your lawyer the statute of limitations in your state. In most states, you have two years to file your compensation claim. If the deadline lapses, you lose your legal rights to get the settlement you deserve for your injuries.
While accidents are inevitable, in some cases they are caused by other people’s reckless behavior. If you are hurt as a result of someone’s negligence, you are entitled to get a settlement from the responsible party. To get the proper compensation, you need to be watchful since insurance companies are often only concerned with protecting their business interests. You must report the injury to responsible authorities and seek medical care. It is a good idea to work with a professional injury lawyer to increase your chances of getting the benefits you deserve.
