Over the last few years, I’ve developed an unwanted reputation for being a little injury prone. I’ve crushed my fingers, thrown my back out, and… well, don’t even get me started about the whole shoulder blade saga.
It’s fair to say that the majority of these injuries have come down to a combination of bad luck and me just being a bit useless. Occasionally though, I’ve been injured due to somebody else’s actions. I can accept a trip to the hospital if it’s my own stupid fault that I’m there, but when you’ve missed work, lost money, and endured some pain because of a third party, it can be hard to swallow.
I experienced this scenario a few years ago when I was commuting. Stopped a roundabout just off a motorway, an articulated lorry smashed into the back of my car and sent me spiralling into oncoming traffic. Unlike my written-off car, I came out of the accident relatively well, with a nasty case of whiplash my only real injury.
Claiming for this injury was pretty straightforward, but there’s still a few things to remember before you put in your claim.
Identify your solicitors
It seems an odd thing to emphasise, but it’s important to know who you’re speaking to when you’re dealing with any personal injury claims. People involved in road accidents specifically, will get bombarded with calls from firms who want to talk to you about what happened. Whilst the majority are reputable practices, some can be a little slippery in how they introduce themselves. Some can even give the impression that they’ve been assigned to your case when in reality, they have nothing to do with it.
Make sure you verify which company you’re speaking to at the start of every phone conversation (and be prepared for a lot – I was still receiving calls from prospecting firms a couple of years after my accident).
Don’t leave it too late
When an injury occurs, you can often find yourself rearranging your entire life to accommodate this inconvenience. Work, childcare, and any booked holidays or events can become a real headache when trying to rearrange or cancel.
Because of that, it can be easy to let thoughts of a personal injury claim slip to the back of your mind. With so much going on, it’s understandable not to want added fuss.
There’s only a three-year window for putting in a claim after an accident that wasn’t your fault though, so it’s best to get started as soon as you can. Seeking professional legal assistance early can help you deal with the difficulties of your claim. By choosing to Contratar Abogado De Lesiones Personales (or hire a Personal Injury lawyer), you can make sure that you have an expert who can advocate for your rights and work to secure the compensation you deserve.
Attend your appointments and fill in your paperwork
Whilst your solicitor will deal with the majority of your claim themselves, there’s some things that they can’t do. You’ll need to check and sign a few forms, and attend an appointment with a doctor who’ll assess your injuries. Make sure that these are done promptly and your case can be closed much sooner.
Don’t fear the doctor!
Before I had my appointment, I was worried that I’d be seeing a doctor set on trying to downplay my injuries or arguing against my claim. In reality however, he had no incentive to look at my injury in anything but a normal way. A brief check up was all he needed to verify my injury.
It can be a frantic and confusing time after suffering an injury, but it’s worth giving yourself an hour or two to look into making a personal claim if somebody else’s mistake has affected you. By following the three simple steps above, you give yourself the best possible chance for a fuss-free case.