Personal injury claims are always emotionally draining. Whether you or someone close to you is injured or yourself, this process will affect your brain and emotions in a way that is hard to describe until it happens to you.
A certain level of anxiety and vulnerability comes with filing a personal injury claim; knowing how to cope with these emotions will help you through the process. It’s crucial to have knowledgeable legal representation who are sensitive to your injury, too — this may be one of the best times in your life to use a brain injury attorney.
What is considered a personal injury?
A personal injury is a physical or psychological harm caused by another party. These injuries can range in severity but usually involve pain and suffering. A personal injury can be a car accident, a slip and fall, a dog bite — the list goes on.
When this occurs, it’s important to file a personal injury claim. There are many steps and processes you should expect when filing, so this guide will give you an overview of the procedure.
Filing a personal injury claim
This will be a long process, much longer than you think. This is why it’s crucial to have an open line of communication between yourself and your lawyer at all times. They can give you advice about the progress and what you can expect next.
There are many aspects of the process that you need to be aware of because it will help you figure out what is necessary and what is not. The more you know about how the law works and what your rights are, the better off you’ll be when it comes time to file a personal injury claim.
It is a very good idea to have a time tracking sheet and keep thorough notes of all your interactions with the insurance company and your lawyer. This will help you immensely if there is ever a court case; the judge will see that this process has been complicated enough for you.
The progress of a personal injury claim
Every case is different, but here are some general guidelines as to what you can expect:
- Your settlement will take time because you’ll have to discuss the matter with several people over and over again until you come to an agreeable settlement.
- Once you have arrived at a mutually beneficial settlement, the insurance company will take some time to reflect that agreement in comprehensive paperwork.
- This paperwork will be sent to you, and you must return a signed copy for the insurance company to work on your behalf.
- The last part of the process is to receive your settlement check.
On the off chance that you don’t reach an agreeable settlement with the negligent party, your case might go to court. This is a long, arduous process that you will want to avoid at all costs because you will have to deal with not only the emotional turmoil it will bring but also the financial repercussions of the trial proceedings.
So, as much as possible, try to come to an agreement with your insurance company during the settlement negotiations. This way, you won’t have to deal with the long, drawn-out process of filing a personal injury claim in court.
What to do if your case goes to trial
Filing a personal injury claim is very different, depending on whether you’re filing against an individual or another company. Individuals are simply people, and it’s hard to be insensitive when filing a personal injury claim against them.
On the other hand, companies are often shielded by the corporation they have formed. This is why they are taken much more seriously in court cases — if you want to win your case, you’ll have to demonstrate that they are responsible for your injury.
The best way to do this is with the help of a legal professional who specializes in personal injuries. They will be able to help you navigate the process of filing a personal injury claim against another company, making your experience as smooth as possible.
Filing a personal injury claim isn’t easy, but you must have an open line of communication with your representative so that you are never uninformed about what’s going on. It can be frustrating waiting for the negotiations to take place, and the proceedings can be difficult to face. But you mustn’t overlook this process. It will be necessary for you to have all the knowledge to successfully navigate this difficult time.
