According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, personal-injury lawsuits are the most common types of civil cases. However, many people do not understand the complexity of an injury claim until they experience one firsthand. The success of a claim relies on strong evidence, which may include doctors’ records, police reports, witness testimonies and independent medical examinations.
If you were injured due to another person’s negligence, then you may be entitled to compensation for health-care bills, time off work and other losses. However, there are several steps you must take to protect your personal and financial interests.
An accident attorney can guide you through the claims process. He or she can help you avoid mistakes such as signing general releases, unknowingly admitting fault to insurance adjusters, or settling for an amount that will not cover your future health-care bills.
If the incident happened in Louisiana, contact an Alexandria injury lawyer from Morris Bart. Call 800-537-8185 to schedule a consultation.
Until then, here is a brief overview of three important steps to take after a personal injury:
- Hire an Injury Lawyer
Hiring an accident attorney can motivate the defendant and insurance company to take your claim seriously. An injury lawyer can talk to witnesses, gather evidence and structure your claim. He or she can also handle settlement negotiations on your behalf. If you cannot reach a fair settlement, then your personal-injury attorney can litigate your case in court .
- Send the Demand Letter
Your injury lawyer will likely begin the claims process by sending a demand letter. This will outline your damages, the amount of compensation you require, and the reasons why you request that particular amount of compensation.
It is important to remember that there is a limited amount of time that plaintiffs have to file a civil lawsuit. This is called the Statute of Limitations.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-537-8185
In most cases, plaintiffs have one year from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit for injuries or property damage, according to the Louisiana Civil Code. If you attempt to file a lawsuit after this date, then the courts may not hear your case.
It is best to contact an accident attorney as soon as possible. Although you may be traumatized by the incident, certain evidence may become unavailable over time. For example, witnesses may be difficult to locate, or their contact details may change. If you were injured in a slip and fall, your injury lawyer may want to see CCTV footage of the incident, but this may eventually disappear.
- Negotiate the Settlement
It is best to leave the negotiations to your accident attorney. If the negotiations are successful, then you can avoid the time and expense of civil litigation. The vast majority of personal-injury claims settle before going to trial.
If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, contact an Alexandria accident attorney from Morris Bart. Call 800-537-8185 to schedule a consultation
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
