If you've been unlucky enough to suffer an injury due to negligence or an unfortunate accident, then you are entitled to a monetary settlement. You should also be reimbursed for any medical costs you've incurred. You should make sure you get what you deserve. This piece will give you all the information you need to better understand personal injury law.
Stay off social media! That means Facebook, Twitter and Flickr. Don't post photographs of yourself dancing if you're claiming an injured back! Don't tell anyone you went water skiing when you claim to have hurt your foot. Just stay off the internet and say as little as possible online instead.
Asking for a referral for a reputable attorney from a family member, friend, neighbor or colleague is a great way to find a personal injury lawyer. If you can find someone who has gone through a personal injury case, he will be able to help provide you with valuable information including how he found his attorney and how their court case went.
Document your costs. Record any expenses or loss of income you incur as a result of your injury. Some of these documents may include insurance forms, medical bills, prescription receipts, and property damage repairs. If you miss work because of the injury, be sure you also document any lost wages. Document each expense as it occurs, while it is fresh in your memory.
Always go to the hospital if your injury may be the fault of someone else. If you do not fully document your injury as soon as you can you put yourself at risk for not getting the money that you may deserve in a settlement. So, if you want to protect yourself, be sure to visit a doctor right away.
The only people you should discuss a personal injury case with are your insurance agent, your spouse and your attorney. If an insurance adjuster calls you to record a statement about how the accident occurred, give them the number of your attorney and tell them that this is who should be called if they have any additional questions.
Never sign something without the advice of your lawyer. When you are dealing with an insurance company the first thing, they will likely do is get you to settle with them on terms that benefit them. To ensure that you do not get ripped off by them, be sure to have your lawyer review everything you are asked to sign.
Hire a lawyer located where the court your personal injury trial will be playing out is located. This ensures they can easily get to the court for your dates, plus they know the local laws and understand them to a "T". They may also be familiar with the judges and their personalities, which can benefit your case.
Talk to more than one personal injury lawyer before you settle on one. Every lawyer has a different style, level of education and level of experience. Due to this fact, if you do not look around, you could end up with less than the best. If you are serious about your case it is definitely worth your time to follow this one step.
Find a lawyer with a lot of experience in the field that you need. This will give you the best chance of winning your case. It is important to find an attorney who knows that aspect of the law inside and out. Not hiring a personal injury attorney can come back to hurt you in the end!
If you have to travel to meet your lawyer, you'll be paying a ton in gas bills and taking too much time out of your day. Choosing someone local is a solution to these problems, plus you'll know for sure they understand local laws and will be able to attend your court dates.
Never hire a personal injury attorney without looking into their background. Just because they have a great demeanor over the phone and a winning commercial, this does not mean that they are qualified to handle your case. Look into all of their prior cases to see if there are any red flags.
Do not choose a lawyer until you have met every person you were considering in person. You may kick yourself down the road when you find out that another lawyer was a better choice. Once you have gone through all of your options, you will be ready to make the best decision.
If you have any medical conditions prior to being in an accident, make sure that you mention them to medical professionals and your attorney. It will not look good if you fail to mention it, and their attorney presents it as evidence that you were hurt before the accident even occurred.
If you do not have a lot of money, look for a personal injury attorney that will take your case on a contingency fee basis. This means that you will not have to pay your attorney anything, unless they win your case. This gives attorneys the incentive to work even harder on your case.
Never hire a personal injury attorney that is known for having very flashy advertisements. While there is nothing wrong with having a commercial, people that have gimmicky ads are usually trying to cover up their lack of legal ability. Also, do not get swayed by an attorney simply because of how they look physically.
Has your lawyer had trial experience? While they may get settlements easily, they may not have any experience in the courtroom. Before you choose an attorney, find out if he falls into that category. You need this information in order to make an informed decision.
When you are looking for a personal injury lawyer, get advice from someone who has gone through a similar case. Discuss the situation with your relatives, average cost of criminal defense attorney friends, neighbors and co-workers. Once you receive a few referrals, make appointments to get free initial consultations. In this meeting, each lawyer will give you an opinion on the merits of your case. Do not hire a lawyer who is very confident about their ability to win your case quickly. Law may be interpreted in a number of ways, so nothing is guaranteed.
You should now have a better idea of what you need to do in order to get your settlement. Start by hiring a reliable lawyer and prepare your case carefully. It's time to get going now, so get to work!
