Following a personal injury, you want to ensure that you receive proper compensation and care for any damages you’ve suffered. Whether you’ve experienced high medical bills, lost wages, or emotional distress, understanding your rights can help you navigate the complex legal and insurance systems, and ultimately achieve a favorable outcome for your case. Knowing your rights can also empower you to confidently make decisions in a high-stress and emotionally charged period.
Understand What Constitutes a Personal Injury
First, it’s important to understand what a personal injury is. Personal injuries can occur in several ways and can stem from various causes. Here are some common types of personal injuries:
Motor vehicle accidents — Car crashes, motorcycle accidents, and truck collisions are some of the most common sources of personal injuries. They often lead to serious harm, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and even fatalities.
Slip and fall accidents — When property owners fail to maintain a safe environment, visitors might slip, trip, or fall, resulting in injuries like broken bones, head injuries, and sprains.
Medical malpractice — Healthcare professionals can make mistakes while providing treatment, diagnosis, or care. These errors can lead to catastrophic injuries or even death in severe cases.
Defective products — Manufacturers have a responsibility to ensure their products are safe for use. Defective products may lead to serious injuries or deaths.
Workplace accidents — Injuries can occur while working in a variety of industries, such as construction, manufacturing, and transportation.
Dog bites and animal attacks — Harm caused by dogs can lead to serious and painful wounds.
Know What to Do After an Injury
In the aftermath of a personal injury, you might feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do. Here are some immediate steps you can take to ensure that your rights are protected and that you can build a strong case:
Seek medical attention: The top priority after any personal injury is your health and well-being. Even if the symptoms appear minor at first, it’s essential to get prompt medical attention, as some injuries might not become evident until some time has passed.
Document the incident: Write a detailed account of the incident, including relevant information such as the date, time, location, and parties involved. Be as thorough as possible, including any applicable photos, videos, or other evidence (such as damaged property).
Gather witness information: If anyone saw the incident, get their name and contact details, as their testimony may be important for showing negligence in your case.
Report the incident: Depending on the type of personal injury, you may need to report the incident to the authorities or relevant agencies, such as your employer, a business owner, your landlord, or the police.
Consult with a personal injury attorney: A skilled personal injury lawyer can explain your legal rights, help you through the process, and make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
Know How To Choose The Right Lawyer
Personal injuries can occur in various situations, and finding the right legal representation is crucial for a successful outcome. Here are some tips to choosing the right lawyer for your case:
Start with Research
Before you select a lawyer, it’s essential to do thorough research on the personal injury lawyers in your area. Read client reviews, prioritize local attorneys with a good reputation, and check that they have experience handling cases similar to yours. Identify a short list of potential lawyers based on this research.
Analyze Their Track Record
Request information on the attorney’s past personal injury cases, specifically focusing on settlements and verdicts. Factor in both the number of successful outcomes and the total amount awarded in damages. While it’s important to understand that each case is unique, a strong track record suggests the attorney knows how to handle personal injury cases.
Inquire About Their Areas of Specialization
Personal injury law can encompass various situations, from car accidents and workplace injuries to medical malpractice and product liability. Determine the attorney’s area of specialization and be sure their expertise matches the specifics of your case.
Schedule Initial Consultations
Almost all personal injury lawyers offer free initial consultations. Take advantage of this and meet with several attorneys from your list and discuss your case. This will give you an opportunity to get a feel for their approach to your case and overall demeanor.
Check for Disciplinary Actions
Conduct a check to see if a potential lawyer has a history of disciplinary actions or sanctions. Any record of ethical violations or professional misconduct should raise a red flag. Your state bar website will typically provide information on any disciplinary actions taken against a lawyer.
Gauge Accessibility and Communication
Accessibility and open communication between you and your lawyer are key to a successful outcome in your case. Check whether the lawyer is prompt in responding to your calls and emails, and whether their office staff is helpful and courteous.
Trust Your Gut
Finally, trust your gut. Your gut feeling plays an essential role in selecting the right lawyer to handle your personal injury case. When you meet or speak with potential lawyers, you’ll likely develop an initial impression. Trust it. Your instincts can provide insight into whether or not a particular lawyer is a suitable fit.
Know What Compensation You’re Entitled To
If the other party was at fault for your accident and injuries, you may be entitled to compensation. There are several types of damages that you can recover in personal injury cases:
Economic Damages: These include things like medical expenses, lost wages, and future loss of earning capacity. Economic damages are meant to cover the financial loss that you have suffered directly from the injury.
Non-Economic Damages: This category covers the intangible losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. These damages aim to compensate you for the physical and emotional impact of the injury on your quality of life.
Punitive Damages: In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded. These damages are meant to punish the at-fault party for their particularly reckless or malicious behavior.
Know What NOT To Do
We all know it’s important to learn what to do after an accident, but it’s just as important to learn what NOT to do.
Do Not Admit Fault
We all have a natural tendency to say we’re sorry or try to apologize when something goes wrong. However, admitting fault after an injury can have damaging consequences to your case. Even if you believe that you may have played a role in the accident, it’s best to keep these thoughts to yourself. Insurance companies and opposing lawyers can use your statements against you when determining the compensation you should receive.
Do Not Give a Recorded Statement Without Legal Counsel
It’s common for the insurance company of the person responsible for your injury to contact you for a recorded statement. Their main goal during this conversation is to gather information that they can use against you, potentially reducing the amount of compensation you receive.
Before providing any recorded statements, speak with a personal injury lawyer who can guide you through this process and ensure you don’t inadvertently admit fault or provide misleading information.
Do Not Post About the Incident on Social Media
It’s natural to want to share your experiences and seek support from friends and family, and this is often done via social media. However, posting about your injury on social media can have unintended consequences for your case. Insurance companies and defense attorneys may see your posts and use them against you.
For instance, if you post pictures of yourself enjoying an activity after the injury, they can argue that your injuries aren’t as severe as you claim. Additionally, any comments or messages about the accident could be used to discredit your account of what took place.
To protect yourself and your case, it’s best to keep quiet about the incident on social media until everything is resolved.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer For Help
Experiencing a personal injury can be both physically and emotionally overwhelming, but taking the necessary steps to protect your rights is essential for securing the compensation you need to facilitate your recovery. For help, contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.