You’ve noticed ongoing pain and difficulty completing daily activities following an auto accident. At the time of the accident, you dismissed it as not too bad, but now you’re realizing that you could be looking at a loss of income and quality of life. What are your next steps? A personal injury case could be the solution you need.
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What Are Personal Injury Cases?
Personal injury cases happen when an individual is injured physically, emotionally, or reputationally because of someone else’s careless or reckless behavior or intentional misconduct. These types of injuries could affect your life in many ways, from minor discomfort to huge financial and physical losses.
Most personal injury claims fall into one of the following seven categories:
- Animal attacks, such as dog and cat bites and scratches.
- Auto accidents, including motorcycle and pedestrian accidents, as well as rideshare situations.
- Medical malpractice, including prescriptive, diagnostic, and surgical errors.
- Product liability such as defects in design or manufacturing that led to injuries.
- Slip and Fall, or other forms of premises liability.
- Workplace accidents that aren’t resolved through workers’ compensation insurance.
- Wrongful death claims happen when one or more people die from the injuries they sustained.
Of course, there are many other types of personal injury claims, so if your injuries don’t fall into one of these categories, contact an attorney to determine whether you have a case.
What Outcome Can You Expect?
Personal injury damages typically include lost wages, medical expenses, and out-of-pocket expenses. They could also include compensation for mental and emotional anguish, your pain and suffering, and the loss of quality or enjoyment of life. The damages may be tangible or intangible and could include punitive damages.
What Do You Need To Proceed?
Before you determine whether to file a claim and even if you are pretty sure you won’t file, it’s important to gather and hold onto documentation. The evidence you have to support your claim is crucial to the outcome. Even if your claim is the result of slipping and falling on the wet floor of your local grocery store, all of the receipts, medical information, and pictures of the scene could help you receive appropriate compensation.
Remember you will need to prove that the other party was negligent or willfully misbehaving. You can do this by gathering photos and videos of your injuries, any vehicles or animals involved, and the scene of the accident. If you aren’t sure the pictures will help, take them anyway.
Be sure to record all the details of the case in a journal. This document should include details about your injuries and range of emotions, the type of treatment you receive, and anything else related to the accident, such as what led up to the situation.
Reach out to any witnesses and get their statements. Ask for copies of police reports and medical records. Gather any type of evidence requested by your attorney.
Don’t overlook the importance of scheduling a visit with your medical provider. Not only does this step help you identify and possibly avoid potential injuries, but it also helps you obtain accurate records of your injuries.
Is Pursuing a Case Worth Your Time?
Going through the process of a personal injury case, including reliving the details of the accident and gathering evidence, can be difficult. It’s best to consider these factors with the advice of a personal injury attorney.
Are you willing to open your life up to close and sometimes public scrutiny?
Are you ready to testify in court?
Can you afford not to file as you face medical expenses and lost wages?
Looking back, what might you wish you had done?
Should You Hire an Attorney?
As you decide whether to pursue the claim, there are several things to consider, such as the time limitations of filing. Many of the factors associated with filing are complex and hard to untangle on your own. Your initial consultation with an attorney can help you determine whether to proceed. Robert McKenna Attorney has experience with medical malpractice, federal tort claims, and many other types of personal injury cases. McKenna has the following advice: Don’t second guess yourself and move forward with purpose. There are many difficulties associated with proceeding with a personal injury case, but with the help of an attorney, many of those hardships can be reduced.
After an injury, you may feel that your claim is too small or too difficult to pursue. Be sure to consider all the possible consequences of not moving forward and prioritize your present and future well-being.
