How To Protect Your Personal Injury Claim

If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, there are a number of steps you should take to protect your personal injury claim. Our firm has represented hundreds of clients who have suffered personal injuries from motor vehicle collisions, slip and falls or other incidents that are due to the negligence of other persons or entities. These injuries can result in substantial compensation whether through a settlement or a jury verdict in a lawsuit.

First, ensure that you are in a safe place and call 911.  Describe the type of help you need from the police and medics. Get medical attention as soon as possible if you need it. This is no time to be stoic about your pain.

Second, get as much information at the scene as possible such as photographs of the vehicles and scene location and names and contact information from witnesses. Exchange insurance information with the other driver if it is an automobile collision.

Third, contact an attorney whose focus is in personal injury claims. Most personal injury attorneys don’t charge anything for a consultation. If you delay in calling an attorney, it could result in loosing certain rights you may not be aware of, costing you thousands of dollars and ultimately make a bad situation even worse.

Protect your personal injury claim against the insurance company

Contact your own insurance company ASAP, even if it is the other party’s fault for your injury. You more than likely have a mandatory reporting requirement in your insurance contract and if you need them to step in and help pay for things, they may very well have an exclusion if you don’t tell them soon enough.

Don’t accept a quick offer from the other party’s insurance company without talking to a lawyer first, and not before knowing the true nature and extent of any injuries. The insurance adjuster is trying to save as much money as possible for the insurance company and will probably give you a low-ball figure on the value of your claim. Often, they will try to get you to settle before you have finished treatment. That would be a terrible mistake. You may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering and lost quality of life.

Also, an insurance adjuster may ask you for a recorded statement.  Say “no thanks” to the recorded statement and refer the adjuster to your attorney if you have one or tell them you want to talk to an attorney first if you don’t have one. This statement may be used against you if the case proceeds to litigation.

Medical Expenses in Your Personal Injury Claim

Keep records of all medical expenses related to the accident. Use your med pay or health insurance if you have it. If a provider says they don’t take health insurance in accident injury cases, call an attorney at once. If your health insurance provider pays some or all of your medical costs, they may have a right to reimbursement (called “subrogation”), but it will still save you money to go through your health insurance as opposed to self-pay or payment through a lien. The health insurance company may also claim they have a right to subrogation when they really don’t. It takes a skilled professional to negotiate these issues to put the most money in your pocket as possible.

Evidence of Accident and Damages

Immediately, or as soon as possible, take photographs of the accident scene and any damages. No matter where you have been injured, the more evidence you obtain from photographs, videos, or witnesses will aid in a more favorable outcome of your claim.

If you were injured in a car accident, further protect your personal injury claim by keeping good records of any estimates or expenses related to your car damage, including the cost of a rental car while your car is repaired.  When negotiating with the insurance company for damage to your vehicle, it’s also key to understand that you are entitled to the diminished value of your car, in addition to the repair costs.

Protect Your Claim from Social Media

Refrain from posting anything about your accident or injuries on all social media platforms. Anything you post online can be used against you to invalidate statements and extent of your injuries. We often see victims failing to protect their personal injury claim when they post pictures and videos of themselves perfoming activities tht would imply they are not seriously injured. The opposing party can and will find all evidence to justify that you do not deserve full compensation for injuries.

Call or contact the law office of Southside Injury Attorneys for experienced attorneys that can help when you’ve been injured. We have six convenient locations in McDonough, Stockbridge, Peachtree City, Jackson, Barnesville, and Griffin. We also serve clients all over the state of Georgia, including in Henry County, Clayton County, Fulton County, Fayette County, Douglas County, Butts County, Lamar county, Spalding County, and Coweta County.

Any representations regarding the law in this Blog is made available for educational purposes only as well as to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and the Blog publisher. The Blog should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.