Have you suffered a personal injury?
Personal injury is one of the important areas of Civil Law and encompasses parties ranging from the large corporate to insurance companies. Personal Injury can be defined as claims that are related to individual harm. These cases are generally solved on the basis of monetary compensation.
Usually personal injury claims are brought against insurance companies and to file this claim, an individual should to hire a professional personal injury lawyer. Now the major question is what to do in case of such personal injury?
Here are a few key tips to keep in mind:
1. Do not panic
The first and foremost thing that one needs to keep in mind is avoiding panic. Keeping cool is half the battle one. When one panics, many of careless mistakes are committed hence it is better to stop, think, and then act.
2. Get immediate medical attention
Since you have been injured, get medical attention fast. Go to a hospital and get checked out by a medical physician. In case major injuries like brain, neck or limbs, immediate medical care would be required. If you have been in a car crash, the injuries may necessitate intensive care. Tests may need to be carried out to identify internal injuries, if any.
3. Collect Facts
Another step in the right direction is to collect relevant facts concerning injury as this is going to have a bearing on your case. Jot down all the details relevant to the matter lest you forget some important detail later on. Take pictures if possible.
4. Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
Every time a personal injury occurs, it does not mean that it calls for a claim and compensation. In case an injury does not hamper the ability of an individual to work, it does not call for a claim for compensation. In case of a car accident, one needs to hire a personal injury lawyer with experience handling car accident claims. After a physician diagnoses the problem, it is important to get in touch with an experienced personal injury lawyer without any further delay. The lawyers will advise you about the steps that need to be taken. The negligent party needs to be identified, due to the negligence of which one has been injured.
5. Working with Lawyers
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning that unless the case is settled and jury decides to give the injured a settlement, the lawyer does not get paid. In cases where the judgment is not in the favour of the complainant, the lawyer does not get paid. In certain circumstances though, a personal injury lawyer may charge fees irrespective of the decision of the case. In some cases there are certain costs involved in the case such as investigation, advice from medical experts, etc, it is discussed during the initial phases of case consultations.
6. Hire Carefully
Last but not least, before hiring a lawyer, check his or her credentials and years of experience before assigning your case to him or her.
Never let go of personal injury lightly. You may be eligible for a sizable compensation for the injuries incurred. Follow the above tips carefully before deciding to hire a lawyer.
