It’s an unfortunate fact that everyone is at risk of a personal injury at practically any moment, and they’re quite common. In fact, each year in the US, there are roughly 39.5 million cases of injuries that require medical consultations. Common causes of personal injuries include car accidents, slips and falls, medical malpractice, assaults, and defective products.
Depending on the severity of the injury, medical bills for treatments or hospital stays can be hard to bear. Particularly if your injury was due to the fault or negligence of another party, you may feel you’re owed compensation to cover your medical expenses and other hardships incurred due to the injury. It’s common for an injury claim to settle out of court, but the third party or their insurance company may put up a fight. Here are some tips to increase your chances of a successful outcome if you go through an arbitration hearing or step into the courtroom.
Seek Immediate Medical Care
Accident victims should always seek emergency room treatment or set up an appointment with their doctor to be checked following the event. It’s the safest thing to do for your health, and it also helps prove that all your injuries were a result of the event you’re filing a personal injury claim about. If you wait on treatment, it may suggest to an insurance adjuster or jury that your injuries weren’t that severe. The other party could also hurt your credibility by suggesting your personal injury actually came from another source.
Collect Evidence
Before filing your personal injury claim, it’s important to have as much information regarding the event as possible. Any video or photographic evidence you can collect, or even statements from witnesses, will be useful. You’ll also need to collect your medical records and keep them up to date by attending any recommended follow-up appointments. The burden of proof will be upon you to demonstrate how the third party’s actions or negligence cause your injury and to demonstrate how much you lost due to the injury.
Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer
For anything beyond a minor injury, it’s best to speak to someone with years of experience like these personal injury attorneys in Salem, OR. Personal injury cases are complicated, and you definitely don’t want to go it alone if you need to file a lawsuit. Injury attorneys tend to work on a contingency fee basis, so you’ll only pay them a percentage if you win. If you believe your case is simple but still have legal concerns, many attorneys will also offer a free consultation, so you can gauge whether you need to hire a law office or not. While you may not need a trial attorney, it’s still recommendable to have a lawyer present even at an arbitration hearing with an insurance company.
Keep in Contact
If you’ve hired a personal injury attorney, you may believe that your role in the case is largely over, but this isn’t true at all. Your attorney should be kept up to date on any developments in your case including the pace of your recovery and any advice given by your doctor, as such factors can affect your settlement. It’s also crucial that you follow any legal advice your lawyer gives you while the case is ongoing, and update them if anyone tries to contact you about the case.
Look the Part
When it comes time to appear at your hearing or in court, your lawyer will thank you for dressing for it. Petite womens suits are great for looking both stylish and professional. For men, a dress shirt and blazer is a trustworthy combination. Perhaps the way you dress ideally shouldn’t be a factor in your case, but it does show that you’re taking the process seriously and that you respect everyone involved. You’ll do yourself no favors if an arbitrator or judge thinks poorly of you from the start, and looking your best may help boost your confidence and reduce anxiety.
