If you’ve suffered personal injuries from a car accident, dog bite, slip and fall or other types of accident, you may be considering a personal injury lawsuit. But lawsuits are complex, so you’ll want to understand what you’re getting into and ensure you’re ready for it. Here are some things you should consider before filing a personal injury claim:
• Determine the Injuries
You should determine whether your injuries are severe enough to warrant filing a lawsuit. If they’re not, don’t waste your time. If they are, ensure you get medical attention immediately so that your doctor can provide evidence of the extent of your injuries and how long it will take for them to heal or improve.
• Gather Evidence
After an accident, it’s essential to get all the facts together. Keep track of medical bills, receipts for medication and other expenses related to the accident. If there were witnesses, ask them to write down their statements immediately after the incident. Keep in mind that this information needs to be kept private until you file your lawsuit, so don’t discuss it with anyone except your personal injury lawyer in Alliston and those directly involved in your case.
• Your Finances
If the defendant in your lawsuit refuses to pay for any damages — either because he’s not at fault or because he doesn’t have enough money — then you’ll need to pay for all these costs yourself. If you lose, you’ll likely be responsible for paying court costs and other expenses related to bringing the case, such as hiring a lawyer. So before filing a lawsuit, ensure that you have enough money set aside if things go south for you in court.
• Know Your Rights
You have the right to be compensated for your injuries if they result from another person’s negligence. You also have the right to receive compensation from an insurance company if the other party who caused your injuries does not have adequate insurance coverage. However, there are restrictions on when you can file a claim against someone else for their actions and still receive compensation. For example, if an uninsured driver causes an accident that results in your injuries and death, then you would be able to file a claim against that person even though they do not have insurance coverage.
• Contact an Attorney
Once you have gathered all of your evidence, it’s time to contact a lawyer that specializes in personal injury law and can help guide you through the legal process. This is especially important if the other party denies liability or tries to settle out of court without involving their insurance company or insurance company lawyer — both common tactics used by negligent parties to avoid paying compensation for their actions.
