Accidental injuries are now the third leading cause of death in the United States. After all, they result in approximately 442 deaths per day. Worse, each one is preventable.
What’s more, many of those injury-causing accidents result from someone else’s actions. In some cases, they arise from negligence or inaction.
If you’re a victim yourself, it’s best to file a personal injury claim ASAP.
But how exactly do you do that?
Read on as we’ve rounded up the steps in this guide to personal injury claim filing.
- Factor in Possible Insurance Coverage
Personal injury is any injury inflicted on a person’s body, mind, or emotions by someone else. According to Konalawyer.com, accidental collisions and product liability are two examples. Medical malpractice and workplace injuries are also common types of personal injury.
In some cases, insurance may be enough to cover the financial impact of those injuries. For instance, let’s say you’ve been in a car crash, you got minor injuries, and your ride sustained minor damage. Let’s also say the other driver was at fault, but they have full auto insurance.
In that case, you might want to settle a personal injury claim via the other driver’s insurer first. Your car and health insurance policy may also cover the costs of the other damages.
- Gather All Pertinent Accident Records
Most accidents cause injuries, and many are bad enough to need medical attention. For instance, U.S. road crashes result in 4.4 million people sustaining severe injuries each year.
Thus, it’s imperative to go to a doctor following a car crash or other accident. Besides, you need to obtain medical records, which you must file along with your claim. That should also include physician fees and emergency department or hospital bills.
Photo and video evidence of the accident is also crucial to personal injury claims. Likewise, request a copy of the police report (such as for a car crash) and collect witness testimonies.
- File the Personal Injury Claim
If the at-fault party’s insurance covers your injuries, you can send the insurer a notice of claim. This document includes their policy holder’s personal information and your information. It must also contain the date of the accident, your injury declaration, and your intention to file a claim.
The at-fault party’s insurer may then request you to provide accident records. Ensure you send them ASAP to avoid delays in your settlement offer.
- Seek Professional Personal Injury Claim Advice
Suppose the at-fault driver and their insurer don’t cooperate or make a low-ball offer. In that case, it’s best to contact a personal injury attorney right away.
A lawyer can confirm your case has enough merits and is worth pursuing. The attorney can also verify if the initial offer is too low or if you should demand a higher amount.
You don’t have to worry about paying the lawyer for their advice in an initial consultation. Reliable personal injury attorneys often offer a case review for free.
Never Delay Filing Personal Injury Claims
Whether it’s a third-party personal injury claim or a lawsuit, file it without delay. A good enough reason is your state’s statute of limitations. If you don’t file a claim within that period, you risk losing your rights for compensation.
So, hire a personal injury lawyer to help you throughout the claim process. Your attorney will take care of the legal aspects while you heal and recover.
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