Georgia residents who have suffered harm due to another person’s or entity’s negligence have a right to seek compensation for damages. However, compensation is not automatic, and the amount you get will depend on how you approach your claim and how you justify it with facts and proof. This article highlights the key steps to take after a personal injury claim to improve your chances of a fair outcome and make navigating the legal process easier for you.
Get Medical Attention
Seeking medical attention as soon as possible is the unwritten rule in personal injury cases, especially if the accident had a high impact. It plays a vital role in protecting your health and well-being, even if you may not have apparent injuries, as internal injuries may not show up until much later. Besides safeguarding your health, medical records also play a vital evidential role. First, they help create a link between your injuries and the accident. Secondly, the receipts, bills, and invoices generated through the process play a critical role in damage valuation. Speaking to a reputed Georgia personal injury attorney like Rustin Smith can offer a wealth of insights on the role of medical reports in legal proceedings.
Gather Evidence
Accident scene evidence is critical when recreating an accident in your claims process. So, it’s best to try to collect as much of it as possible while at the scene. However, you do not need to act like a detective in order to collect quality evidence.
All you need is your phone to capture images of the scene while paying attention to the cause of the accident, injuries, and precise location. Witness accounts also play a critical role, and the best time to gather them is while at the scene because the witnesses are readily available and their memory is still fresh.
Hiring a Lawyer
Evidence is only effective in a legal case if it is accurate and organized. One of the most important parts of a lawyer’s role is evidence organization, so you always stand a better chance of achieving a fair outcome with one than without one. However, the skills and experience of the lawyer you choose also matter. So, before settling for one, you need to pay attention to their experience, area of specialization, past cases’ outcomes, and reputation. You could start by checking out their website. Also, consider looking for information from third parties, such as legal review websites, social media mentions, and what friends, colleagues, and relatives say about them.
Initiating the Claims Process
After you have everything ready, the next step is initiating the process and knowing the best course of action to take. This is where the input of a lawyer becomes critical. The process starts with having your lawyer draft and send a demand letter to the defendants highlighting your injuries, the defendant’s role in causing the injuries, and the value of the damages.
After the demand letter has been sent, the defendant can choose to come to the negotiation table. If you do not get a resolution at this phase, you can file a personal injury lawsuit. After the defendant responds, the case goes to the discovery phase. In this phase, both sides exchange evidence and size up the other side’s case.
Next comes the negotiation phase, which offers a second chance at settling. If you cannot reach a consensus, the next option is trial. Having a lawyer during this phase is critical, as the outcomes could mean walking away with nothing in the worst-case scenarios. Also, the court’s processes and rules can be challenging, so you want someone with legal expertise to represent you.
What to Expect From Your Claim
Whether your case settles through negotiations or goes to trial, you should recover economic and non-economic damages if you get a positive outcome. In cases where intentional wrongdoing or gross misconduct was a factor, you could seek punitive damages.
Conclusion
Knowing the best course of action after experiencing a personal injury is critically important for securing an optimal outcome. By following the steps outlined in this article and seeking the assistance of a reputed and experienced attorney, you can maximize your chances of success as well as the compensation amount while seeking justice.