For Edwardsville residents, handling a personal injury claim can often be a difficult and usually intimidating task. Securing reasonable compensation depends on knowing the procedures involved in the claims process, regardless of the source of the injury—a car accident, a slip and fall, or another event. Luckily, this article offers direction on what you should expect at every stage of the process for personal injury claims in Edwardsville.
Assessing Your Injuries and Gathering Evidence
First in every personal injury claim is determining the degree of your injuries. It is imperative to see a doctor after an accident, even if the injuries seem minor. Seeing a doctor is important because accurate documentation of your condition depends on a comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare practitioner.
After being injured, ensure you start gathering evidence on the site right away. This includes recording pertinent information, compiling witness statements, and snapping pictures. However, if you’re not in the right state to gather evidence yourself, you should contact a personal injury lawyer in Edwardsville. Working with an Edwardsville personal injury attorney guarantees efficient gathering of the required evidence.
Understanding the Legal Process
Once you have identified your injuries and gathered the required proof, the next action is registering a claim. This is turning in the required paperwork to the relevant government agency or insurance company. The Illinois statute of limitations is something you should be aware of. It usually allows you to file a personal injury claim within two years from the date of the damage. To avoid any possible delays in the claims procedure, an attorney can help you to be certain that every documentation is accurate and submitted right away.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies
Negotiating comes after the claim filing process. To ascertain the validity of a claim and the appropriate settlement, insurance companies routinely go over the medical records and accompanying documents. Negotiations abound during this procedure, and the first offer could often be less than expected. Having an Edwardsville personal injury attorney at your side during the settlement process will greatly increase your chances of getting just compensation. Lawyers know the need to represent their clients, which helps them to reject low offers when they see the actual worth of a case.
Preparing for Trial
Sometimes it might be difficult to geta suitable outcome via negotiations with the insurance company. Should this happen, you must get ready for a trial. At this point, you have to compile more data, create a strong case, and maybe schedule depositions. Making sure every element of the case is painstakingly recorded and presented will depend much on your attorney. Trials can be long and emotionally draining, but having an experienced attorney by your side will help to reduce the stress of the process.
Settlement or Court Judgment
A personal injury claim ends either with a settlement or a court decision. Should a settlement be made, the matter ends without going to trial and you will get the designated sum agreed upon. However, if the matter goes to trial, the judge or jury will review the facts to render a decision. Whether the result is favorable or not, you must have legal counsel all through this process to guarantee the defense of your rights and the compensation due.
