You know the accident wasn’t your fault. Maybe it was a car accident or you fell at the grocery store. You were minding your own business, living your life, and out of nowhere, you’re in an accident. Now your medical bills are sky high, and you’ve missed work. You did everything right, but you’re losing money, you’re in pain, and you’re stressed out. To make matters worse, the insurance settlement you were offered was laughable. It barely covers your injuries or damage to your property and doesn’t begin to cover your pain and suffering. You’ve been injured but everyone around you is looking out for themselves, not you. If you think you have a personal injury claim, here’s what you do need to know and do.
Document Everything
From the moment you’re injured or your property is damaged, start taking notes. Get names and contact information for witnesses and write down everything that happened as soon as you can. This includes taking notes on every conversation you have with the other person or business and their insurance company. Get names, dates, time, and locations of your conversations. Write it all down, make copies of the information, and keep it safe. You’re going to need it.
You also need to document your losses. Keep copies of your medical bills and get a copy of your medical records from all the doctors who treat you. Document any lost wages you have when you miss work from your injuries or medical procedures. You’ll also need to get copies of any police or accident reports filed, too. If possible, take pictures of the damage or your injuries. You may also want to record video and narrate what happened at the scene of the accident.
The more you document, the easier it is to show the full extent of the damage or injury caused. It’s also easier to tell your side of the story later on.
Decide to File Sooner, Not Later
You’re considering filing a personal injury claim and you’re thinking of calling an attorney. The worst thing you can do is wait too long to make the call. Every state, including Nevada, has a statute of limitations on how long you have to file a lawsuit. The type of injury or damage you’re filing for determines how long you have. If you decide to sue the government, you have even less time -- usually only 30 days from the accident or injury.
The longer you wait, the older the evidence becomes. That can make it harder to prove your case, especially if you didn’t take good notes at first. The insurance company may make your decision easy for you by dragging their feet or offering almost nothing to compensate you. Once you realize you’re missing work or you’re not being made whole, it’s time to decide. Waiting too long leaves you in a miserable situation longer than necessary, and you may miss out on the full amount of compensation you deserve.
Contact an Attorney
You’ve gathered your notes and evidence. You’ve considered your options, and you believe you have a personal injury claim. Your next step is to contact a qualified attorney. Look for someone who specializes in personal injuries. Talk to a lawyer who offers a free first consultation so you can make sure you find someone you want to work with. Personal injury claims can be stressful, so you want to make sure you have confidence in the attorney you choose.
At that first meeting, bring your notes and be prepared to go over the accident in detail. After you explain what happened, a good attorney will provide their professional opinion on what kind of case you’ve got and what they can do for you. Ask plenty of questions so that you understand what happens next. The right personal injury attorney will be happy to explain the entire process to you so you don’t feel like you’re in the dark.