Understand the Basics of Injury Claims
Many people who have never been involved in a personal injury claim know very little about the process. In fact, you have probably gleaned everything you know from shows and movies. If you or someone you care about has been injured by someone else’s negligence, it helps to understand the basics as they relate to the following frequently asked questions.
Question 1: How Long Will My Claim Take to be Finalized?
Every personal injury claim is unique to its own unique circumstances. Nonetheless, the amount of time required to finalize your claim will likely hinge upon the extent of the injuries you sustained in the incident and upon the length of time it takes for your medical treatment to be completed (or upon the length of time it takes for the medical professionals involved to establish the likely trajectory of your ongoing treatment – if that is more appropriate). From this point, it will generally take about 60 days for your Killeen personal injury lawyer to accomplish the following:
- Gather all of the necessary documentation
- Submit your claim
- Negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement offer
If the insurance company is not willing to make an offer that adequately covers your damages, your only legal recourse is to move forward with a lawsuit. If a lawsuit is necessary, it will naturally take considerably longer, but successful mediation can expedite the process.
Question 2: How Much Compensation Will I Receive?
If you have been injured by someone else’s negligence, it is only natural to be concerned about how much compensation you will receive. Again every case is unique, but your compensation will be based on three elemental components that include:
- Who is at fault for the accident (even if you share in the blame – to a certain extent – you may be entitled to compensation)?
- How badly were you injured by the accident?
- How have the damages you incurred affected your life (to include medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, physical disability, and more)?
Question 3: How Do I Pay My Personal Injury Attorney?
If you have been injured in an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you need an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side, but you probably have concerns regarding the expense. The fact is, however, that personal injury lawyers are paid on a contingency basis. This means that your attorney will be paid a percentage of what he or she recovers on your behalf.