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Millions of Americans have accidents annually, resulting in severe injuries that leave them unable to work and support themselves financially. However, getting financial relief after an accident can be a long and challenging process.
If you’ve been in an accident, like a car accident or a slip and fall, you deserve compensation to help you pay for your expenses. It’s best not to wait to see how you feel later. You often don’t notice the symptoms of your injuries immediately, and they can cause you chronic problems in the future.
This guide will teach you how an attorney can help you get financial relief after an accident.
Find an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
Your first step is finding an experienced personal injury lawyer. It’s essential not to try to handle your injury claim alone. There are many laws in every state, making it complicated for someone unfamiliar with the law.
It’s important to understand that personal injury attorneys provide legal representation for people who have been injured in different accidents, such as::
- Car accidents
- Commercial vehicle and truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Taxi accidents
- Bus accidents
- Uber accidents
- Slip and fall
- Bicycle accidents
- Faulty product accidents
If you’ve had an injury on the job, you’ll need to look for a work injury attorney or a personal injury attorney that has extensive experience with work injury cases.
Do Research in Your Local Area
To find the best lawyer for your case, you should search for a personal injury attorney in your area as soon as possible. Do a Google search and make a list of the top 3 to 5 personal injury attorneys in your area.
You’ll need to read the reviews, paying close attention to how people describe their experience with each attorney. See how the law firm responds to positive and negative reviews. It’s also important to check each website to get a better idea of the type of personal injury experience each attorney you’re considering has. Look for client testimonials and how long the attorney has been practicing law.
You should check various consumer sites like the Better Business Bureau for reviews, complaints, and ratings to get a better idea about each practice.
Remember, doing thorough research will ensure you find an attorney capable of getting you the most financial compensation possible for your accident.
Attorneys Collect the Right Documents
Once you find the right personal injury attorney, you’ll focus on the next crucial step: collecting the correct documents.
Your attorney will need to collect as many documents as possible. The more documentation you have, the stronger your claim will be and the more financial compensation you’ll likely receive.
Accident Documents
If you’ve been in a car accident, you’ll need to ensure you take pictures of the damages to your vehicle and any injuries to yourself. You’ll also need to file a report with the police and insurance company. With slip and fall accidents, it’s best to try to obtain video footage of the accidents, take photos of hazards at the accident scene, and get eyewitness testimonies.
Medical Documents
It’s also essential to obtain proper medical documentation to prove that your injury is severe enough to qualify you for compensation. Medical documentation includes reports and notes from all healthcare providers that have treated your injuries. If you can’t work due to your injury, you’ll need documentation stating how this injury has affected your ability to perform your job duties.
Financial Documents
Additionally, you’ll need financial statements and other paperwork that provides proof of bills or lost work resulting front the accident. You’ll also need to provide all medical bills and additional costs like medication, physical therapy, or counseling. Your attorney will help you gather all the necessary documents.
Attorneys Determine Your Personal Injury Settlement Amount
Once your attorney has collected as much evidence as possible, they’ll work to determine how much of a personal settlement you’re entitled to. Your attorney will also look into other types of settlements you can receive.
Economic Loss
An economic loss settlement is one of the most common types of personal injury settlements. If you file a claim for economic loss, you can get up to 80% of your lost income before going to trial. You can also get the additional income you’ll lose after the trial is over. Your attorney will ensure you have all the financial documents you need to build a strong case for maximum compensation.
Pain and Suffering
Another way to maximize financial relief after an accident is to file a lawsuit for pain and suffering. If you’ve suffered enough physical, mental, or permanent disfigurement, you’ll meet the threshold to get compensation.
A court will need to see evidence that shows how much the injury has impaired your physical and mental functions. For example, you’ll get more compensation if you’ve injured your back and cannot work or perform essential daily activities.
Some people also suffer trauma after an accident and, as a result, experience increased levels of stress. Many people are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety.
Trauma after an accident can also cause reoccurring nightmares about the accident. If you’ve been in a car crash, you might experience trouble driving, attending appointments, or going to work. Symptoms that interfere with your daily life will give you more compensation if you have enough documentation.
Your attorney will review your medical documents thoroughly to evaluate what type of medical claim you can file.
Health Care Expenses
If you’ve had a severe injury, you can get the money back you spent on medical services and other healthcare costs. Your attorney can help you file a lawsuit for these expenses.
If you’ve been in the hospital for some time, you’ll be able to include these costs in the lawsuit. In addition, any extra out-of-pocket costs you’ve had to pay for surgeries or other rehabilitation will qualify. Your attorney will also look for evidence of pain and suffering you’ve had as a result of these medical treatments.
Finally, your attorney will help you to understand more about medical bills and personal injury claims. If you have health insurance and they paid any part of your medical expenses, you’ll usually have to pay them back. However, there are different rules depending on the type of health insurance you have and the state you live in. Your attorney can negotiate with the insurance company to get you the most compensation possible.
Getting Financial Relief After an Accident
Now that you know more about how an attorney can help you with financial relief after an accident, you’ll better understand the next steps you need to take. Remember, it’s essential not to wait to find a personal injury attorney.
If you’ve had an accident recently, start collecting and documenting evidence and find an attorney in your area. Most attorneys offer a free consultation, and you won’t have to pay unless you get a personal injury settlement.
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