Personal injury claims are often misunderstood. People imagine pursuing a claim is like getting revenge or settling a personal vendetta. Some injured victims fear going to trial will be an additional trauma. Other people with valid claims aren’t even sure their loss qualifies as “personal injury.” A personal injury claim is really about finding a solution that fairly compensates for what you’ve lost.
What Is a Personal Injury?
Personal injury is a legal term for an injury to the body as opposed to an injury to property. A claim compensates victims of accidents caused by the negligence of another person or entity. The losses you are compensated for include the following costs:
- Hospital visits, medication, and therapy
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages and other lost income opportunities
- Other economic losses from the accident
This person responsible for your accident is said to have liability, meaning fault. Common personal injury claims arise from car accidents, slip and falls, and dog bites.
It’s Nothing Personal
Pursuing a claim for damages is about compensation for your injuries. You should not have to pay for injuries caused by another person. If the at-fault is a friend or loved one, your claim is not brought against them. It’s a formal process with the insurance system. The insurance company is contractually obligated to make these payments on behalf of the policyholder. Do not think of your claim as somebody’s burden, it’s your right to reimbursement.
Personal Injury Claims Are About Solutions
95% of personal injury cases in the United States are settled before trial. A lot can be done outside of court. Some cases require negotiation with the at-fault party’s insurance company, which may take time. Others are resolved after issuing a demand letter. Because the nature of every injury case is different, the manner and length of time necessary to reach a settlement will vary. Think of your claim as a process for a solution. And the ideal solution, the maximum compensation for your loss, requires a strategy that is custom-tailored to the details of your accident and all the ways it has affected your life.
Not every case requires a personal injury attorney’s representation. It’s OK if you decide to pursue this process alone, but an attorney’s knowledge can help. If you do decide to hire a lawyer, you deserve one who is dedicated to getting you back on your feet. Our goal at Sam & Ash Injury Law is to provide What’s Right for you after a personal injury accident. Call us any time for a free case consultation at 1 (800) 304-2000.
Site by 