Personal Injury Law
A personal injury case can be a very long process. Waiting for compensation takes months or even years.
During this period, victims are burdened by medical bills and other expenses. Factors like lost income further increase the financial strain.
Fortunately, there are some things victims can do to speed up the process. Even though rushing the claim process is frowned upon and not advisable, taking the right strategies can work in your favor. Attorney Leonard Hill can help you avoid unnecessary delays and resolve claims as quickly as possible.
Here are some strategies you can use.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention and Document Everything
Getting prompt medical attention ensures you are healthy and safe. It also creates a medical record that links your injury to your accident. Insurance companies often use medical delays to dispute your injuries and undervalue your claim.
Additionally, proper documentation helps to prevent back and forth that delays settlement. Therefore, keep records of medical visits, prescriptions, treatments, and doctors recommendations.
If possible, take photos of your injuries and keep a journal about your pain levels during the recovery process.
Hire an Experienced Personal injury Lawyer
Trying to handle a personal injury case on your own can lead to unnecessary delays. Understanding the legal procedures takes time, and insurance companies may try to go in circles in an attempt to frustrate you and get you to drop the case.
An experienced attorney understands the system. They will navigate the paperwork, negotiations with insurance companies, and court procedures.
Lawyers also avoid mistakes that could prolong the case, such as missing deadlines or not providing enough documentation. They can handle insurance companies to prevent long negotiations and low offers.
Collect Your Evidence Early
The sooner you collect the necessary evidence, the stronger your case will be. Important evidence includes:
- Photographs of the accident scene, any damages, and injuries.
- Witness statements and their contact details.
- Police reports or the relevant authority incident report.
- Surveillance footage (if available).
Waiting too long can lead to missing important, reliable information. Witnesses may forget crucial details or some physical evidence will be lost or damaged. When you have a well-documented case, the insurance will likely settle faster.
Be Responsive and Cooperative
Delays sometimes occur when the person filing the claim fails to respond on time. To keep your case moving, answer inquiries from your attorney in time. A lack of proper communication stalls negotiations and you even risk getting the case dismissed altogether.
Also, make sure you attend medical evaluations and stick to your doctor’s advice, as this will serve as a testament to your injuries. Avoid any disputes that can lengthen your case.
Consider Settlements
Despite many cases being settled out of court, many people don’t like settlements because you risk walking away with a mediocre offer. Even though taking your case to trial may seem like the best way to get the maximum compensation, court proceedings extend the timeline of the case.
Court cases can take months or even years to resolve. This is mainly because of the legal procedures and conflicts in terms of scheduling and appeals.
If a fair settlement is offered, it might be better to accept it to avoid the lengthy court processes. However, before accepting any offer, consult with your attorney to ensure you are not accepting so much less than what you truly deserve. A lawyer can also help in negotiations to ensure you receive the compensation faster without going to trial.
Conclusion
To speed up a personal injury case, you will require a combination of proactive steps, getting the right expertise, and offering your full cooperation. While some factors, like court scheduling, are out of your control, taking these steps can improve your chance of getting a fair settlement faster than anticipated.
