Steps to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit

Mishaps and misfortune are part of life. Accidents are bound to happen, and some of these incidents can cause serious injuries. While some injuries may occur due to bad luck or conditions outside of anyone’s control, others happen because of someone’s negligence. If somebody hurts you on purpose or uses poor judgment, leading to your injuries, you should speak with an attorney.

Alert the Proper Authorities

As soon as possible after your accident, you must inform the appropriate parties. In a car accident, you should call the police. If you are hurt on the job, you should alert your manager or human resources representative.

File an Insurance Claim

Insurance coverage should at least pay a portion of your medical bills and other costs from your accident. After a car accident, contact your auto insurance representative right away. You should speak with the other driver’s insurance company. As you file a claim, provide as many details as possible about the incident. You should give details of where it occurred, how it happened, how badly you were injured and whether anyone else was hurt. For job-related accidents, you should work with your employer to file a Workers Compensation claim. Medical insurance companies should process claims for any treatment you received for your injuries.

Get Medical Care

This is an essential piece to the personal injury lawsuit process. To show the court how your injuries have impacted you, you must prove that you sought medical attention. You should do this even if you feel fine after the accident. Some minor injuries can progress and cause infections and other problems. Your doctor will diagnose your condition and record what treatments are necessary to help you recover.

Hire an Attorney

To file a personal injury lawsuit, you should consult an attorney. Most lawyers will give free consultations where they learn about your case and determine whether it has merit. Your attorney will have the experience and knowledge to file a timely lawsuit and fulfill every requirement properly. If your lawyer agrees that your situation warrants legal action, he or she will formally file a lawsuit in the appropriate court. Your lawyer will also be present with you at your initial court appearance.

If you follow these steps, you can have the peace of mind that you are doing everything correctly in pursuing a lawsuit. Do your part, and you have a higher likelihood of getting the results you want.