While no amount of money can take away the pain and trauma of an injury caused by a car accident or a slip and fall, getting properly compensated can help cover medical bills, lost wages, and other costs stemming from the injury. Here are some tips on how to make sure you get the compensation you deserve after a personal injury.
Document Everything Related to Your Injury
The key to getting fully compensated is having rock-solid documentation of how the injury occurred, the responsible party, and the full extent of your damages. As soon as possible after the injury, write down exactly what happened and how you were hurt. Take photos and videos of any dangerous conditions that caused the accident. Get contact information for any witnesses who saw what happened. Also, keep detailed records of all medical appointments, procedures, medications and assistive devices related to the injury, as well as receipts for any injury-related expenses.
There were 450,540 slip and falls in the workplace in 2022. Thorough documentation provides critical evidence for building your claim.
Get Prompt Medical Attention
4.6 million people visited the ER for a non-fatal injury between 2019 and 2020. Seeing a doctor quickly after an injury occurs is crucial. Not only does this ensure you get proper diagnosis and treatment, but medical records documenting your condition shortly after the accident help validate your claim. Be completely honest with doctors about your symptoms and how the injury happened. Follow all recommended treatments and attend follow-up appointments until you fully recover. Untreated injuries and gaps in care can weaken your compensation claim.
Consult a Local Personal Injury Attorney
Contact a local attorney. For example, if you were injured in Las Vegas, the experienced injury lawyers in Las Vegas at Battle Born Injury Lawyers can make all the difference in whether you receive fair compensation or get lowballed. Personal injury law is complex, and insurance companies are focused on paying as little as possible. A local attorney understands how to build a solid claim by gathering evidence, establishing negligence, calculating full damages, and negotiating the best settlement. Contingency fee agreements mean you pay nothing upfront, and the attorney only gets paid if you receive compensation.
Calculate All Applicable Damages
Make sure your claim reflects the full scope of what the injury has cost you – in 2022, the cost of medical expenses from motor vehicle crashes exceeded $470 billion. Also, accounts for lost income from missing work due to the injury, as well as impaired future earning capacity for permanent disabilities. Less tangible damages like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life activities can also be part of a claim. An attorney can help ensure your claim seeks complete compensation.
Stay Organized and Proactive
Pursuing compensation for a serious injury can be a lengthy process. Stay actively involved in your claim, communicate regularly with your attorney and insurer, comply with all requests in a timely manner, and maintain meticulous records. This shows you are serious about getting properly compensated. Having patience and keeping perspective during what can be an exhausting process is also important.
With persistence and a good attorney, you can get the compensation that is vital to moving on after a personal injury.