To aid in your recovery, you want to receive maximum compensation for your accident-related injuries. To get the highest amount of compensation for your losses, follow these five tips and consult with your personal injury lawyer.
1. File Your Claim as Soon as Possible
You have a certain timeframe, called the statute of limitations, following an injury to file a lawsuit. It’s essential to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your case. Otherwise, you could lose your right to sue.
In New Jersey, you have two years to file a personal injury claim starting from the date of your injury. If the statute of limitations has already expired, it may be impossible for you to recover anything.
By contacting a lawyer immediately and having them conduct an investigation you will be in a better position to collect the evidence needed to support your case. It shows the other party you are serious about getting fair compensation and advancing the matter through the legal process as smoothly as possible.
2. Seek Medical Treatment
No matter how minor your injury may seem, it is important to seek medical attention. Your family doctor and/or emergency health care professionals should document your injuries and develop a treatment plan.
You can describe any pain you feel throughout your body and if you have experienced any limitations to your physical movement since the date of your accident. The doctors can help you address any problems impacting your quality of life, such as physical limitations that are affecting your relationship with your spouse.
You should strictly follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations. This may include getting prescription medications, receiving physical therapy, or getting mental health treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
3. Save All Evidence for Your Case
Save anything you can from the accident, including any photos you took of your injury. If you were involved in a fall down accident be sure to preserve the shoes you were wearing. If you suffered visual injury (cuts, scrapes, burns) be sure to document the injuries and healing process by taking regular photographs Find out the names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident as soon as possible. Be sure to get a copy of the police report as well.
Your medical records and expenses can also serve as evidence of the extent of your injuries. Keep any receipts for your medications, costs and deductibles. If you go to physical therapy, attend every session. Consider seeing a therapist for your PTSD if your doctor has recommended you do so. Keep an accurate record of your doctors and health care specialists, including their contact information and dates of service.
You can provide this information to your attorney, who will gather detailed witness testimony and analyze photos of your injuries to understand your case better.
4. Don’t Overlook Your Future Damages
There is a possibility that you will not completely recover from your injuries, resulting in ongoing expenses for physiotherapy sessions, prescription medications and pain management treatment. If you are unable to return to work, you will also need to consider your future financial losses due to a lack of income.
When discussing a settlement amount, it is crucial to consider future damages, accounting for future losses. Besides the immediate medical bills, your doctor may provide a future treatment plan outlining surgery and medications.
To document and include these losses in your claim, you must work with your medical providers. Taking inflation into account, your lawyer can calculate the future cost of surgeries and medications and ensure that these costs are part of your settlement.
5. Avoid Social Media
Until your case has been resolved, stay away from social media. Any content you share on your digital accounts could be used against you in your case, especially if it appears you are happy, healthy, or uninjured.
You will only damage your case by posting a photo of yourself at a party, the mall, or with friends on social media. The other party can use them against you to show the court that your injuries are not as serious as you allege in your claim. Your personal injury lawyer should be the only person who discusses the details of your case and injury.
Cooperate with your lawyer with regard to discovery requests if the other party makes them. If you are respectful and diligent with the details of your case, these efforts can persuade the other party to offer you a fair settlement.
A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You
You need guidance from a skilled attorney when settling personal injury claims because the legal process can be lengthy. If you or a loved one needs help building a case or filing a claim for compensation, your personal injury lawyer in Paterson can help. Choose a law firm you can trust for all your legal needs.