A Guide to a Personal Injury Claims Process
If you’ve been hurt by someone else’s negligence, you probably feel a little overwhelmed. You have to deal with your injuries and how they affect your life, not to mention medical bills and the expense of missing time at work. Dealing with the party who is at fault can seem intimidating. How can you be sure you will get what you’re entitled to?
The Law Offices of Miguel Martinez has helped many people navigate the personal injury claims process, and we know how to make it as stress-free and effective as possible. Here are some important things to know about how it works and what you should do for the best results.
Gathering Evidence and Documentation
The very first thing you should do is seek medical attention. More than anything else, it’s important that you take care of yourself and get the treatment you need. Once you’ve received medical care, you can focus on gathering evidence of what happened. Important documentation includes:
- Medical records
- Pictures of the accident scene
- Pictures of your injuries
- Pictures of damaged property
- Contact information for people who witnessed the accident
- Accident reports
- Insurance information for all parties involved
To reach a fair settlement, you’ll have to show what happened, so keep a file of every detail that may help you with that. Presenting a clear picture of what went wrong will help you make your case.
How Insurance Companies Try to Avoid Paying
It is the job of the insurance company’s attorneys to protect their clients–and they’re good at their jobs. They will do everything possible to avoid paying you a settlement or as little as possible. They may try to delay investigating your claim or deny it upfront. Even if they offer a settlement, it might be much less than you’re entitled to.
Remember that the insurance company may have legal obligations toward you, but their lawyers do not work for you. To protect your rights, having legal representation on your side is important.
Going to Court When Necessary
It is sometimes possible to negotiate a fair settlement out of court, but sometimes, the parties can’t reach an agreement. You must go to court if you simply can’t get a reasonable offer or the other party refuses to settle. You don’t want to rush to file a court case, but sometimes, that’s the best course of action.
With the right representation at your side, this doesn’t have to be a scary event. A lawyer knows how to navigate the court system to your advantage.
Why Should You Contact a Lawyer for a Personal Injury Claim?
It may seem like your case is cut and dried. The other party’s lawyers may assure you that getting more lawyers involved will only cost you more in fees. But if you’re going to deal with legal issues, you need legal representation on your side.
Before you go to court, a lawyer can help guide you toward a fair settlement and protect you from unfair tactics by the other party. A lawyer will protect your rights and help you get the biggest settlement you’re entitled to.
Help with Personal Injury in Colorado
If you’re dealing with a personal injury claim, you deserve to have someone on your side. The experts at the Law Offices of Miguel Martinez are here to fight for you and help you get the results you’re entitled to. Contact us today to discuss your case and how we can help you. You don’t have to go into this battle alone.
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