Filing a personal injury claim is an immensely complicated process, requiring a wealth of paperwork, medical bills, proof of lost wages, and more. Some claims can be settled with an insurer out of court, but others can take years to finally reach a settlement.
If you want to file a personal injury claim, you'll likely have many questions. Are you entitled to damages? Do you sue a business, or an individual? Fortunately, we're here to help. We've asked an attorney, Alaina Byers, for some clarification on common personal injury questions. Here's what she had to say on your questions:
Do I Have a Claim?
Determining your eligibility can be one of the most complicated components of a personal injury claim. You may not know if you qualify for a personal injury claim, who you can file a suit against, or what types of damages you can even claim. If you don't file within a specific timeframe, you might not be eligible for a personal injury claim at all. We have resources available for you to determine if you should start your claim.
How Do I Determine Fault?
You likely will not be eligible for a personal injury claim if you were entirely at fault for an accident, or even 50% responsible for an accident. It may also be challenging to know who was at fault if multiple people were involved in an accident, such as more than one driver in a car accident, or slipping within a store. Determining fault is critical to any personal injury claim.
Determining Damages for Your Personal Injury Claim
Damages are the payments you're entitled to if an injury or loss incurred after an accident. If you did not suffer physically, emotionally, or financially, you may not be eligible for a personal injury claim. Damages can be challenging to calculate, and the payments you're entitled to will vary wildly depending on what happened in your accident. A personal injury attorney can go a long way in helping you determine what types of damages you should seek when you file a claim.
Getting Assistance With Your Claim
Some claimants choose to "go it alone" and file a personal injury claim without any legal assistance. This is definitely possible, and you might be able to settle outside of court! But an attorney can help you in numerous ways. They can ensure your rights are protected and reject any low offers sent to you by insurance, determine if you're asking for a fair settlement to begin with, and defend your claim in court if need be. Best of all, a personal injury attorney isn't paid unless you win your claim.
Do you have a question that hasn't been answered? You should speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to ensure that you can have the best chance possible of winning your claim. Personal injury claims have a limited time for filing, so the quicker you connect with an attorney in your state, the better your odds of reaching an amicable settlement.
