What Is the Best Way to Make a Personal Injury Claim?

If you have never been injured in an accident through no fault of your own and have never had the need to make a personal injury claim, you might find the entire process very daunting. What’s more, you may be dealing with injuries and unable to figure out how you are going to find the time needed to make your personal injury claim. This is when a personal injury Portland lawyer becomes the best resource for you. Having a legal expert by your side will make a big difference in how your case develops and, ultimately in the amount of compensation you receive.

Steps That a Personal Injury Claim Should Follow

Although personal injury claims can be complicated and lengthy, here are some steps that may help you along in the process:

Find out if there is insurance – If whoever is responsible for your injuries does not have an insurance policy that could cover your claim, your chances of obtaining the compensation you seek become very slim. Find out if there is such a policy before moving forward.

Consider hiring a personal injury lawyer – Some cases are straightforward and simple and can be solved by the injured party with minimum effort. The rest require a legal mind that can build a strong case and be an expert when it comes to negotiating with the insurance company. What’s more, since most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, you risk nothing by hiring one and may gain a lot in the end.

Gather All Evidence – When you are still at the scene of the accident, take the time to document it. Start by taking pictures of the cars involved and their damage, and also photograph anything that may have contributed to the crash, such as low-hanging tree branches or oil on the road. Exchange information with the other driver and record the testimony of any witness that might have been there when the accident happened.

Negotiate a Settlement – You may receive an offer from the insurance company and feel pressured to accept it. However, when you add your expenses, you may find that this offer is simply too low. Do not fall for the pressure from the insurance company and negotiate for an amount that will leave you satisfied. In these cases, it is best to have a personal injury attorney doing the negotiating on your behalf. They have experience negotiating and will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

Accept the Compensation Offered or Go to Trial – If the negotiations are successful, you will receive the compensation you sought to cover your injuries and losses. Otherwise, when the negotiations fail, your case will end up in court. When this happens, it is absolutely essential for you to have legal guidance. Your personal injury attorney knows how to build a strong case to defend you and will fight for your rights. Even though this may lengthen the process, it may be the only option available to get the compensation you seek.