If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you shouldn’t be stuck with financial hardships. Victims may file a personal injury claim to recover costs of medical bills, lost wages, and every other problem caused by the accident. Here’s how to do it.
Personal injury claims are built on documentation. Here are the main records you’ll need to collect:
This includes the date, time, and location of where the accident occurred. Do your best to write down exactly what happened and the contributing factors.
This involves the name, phone numbers, addresses, and insurance information of all parties involved in the accident.
If anyone else saw the accident, you’ll need to get their contact information – as they will be questioned later on in the process.
This includes the make, model, color, license plate number, and insurance information from the other driver.
If authorities were called to the scene, they will generate a police report. This is a core piece of evidence in personal injury claims.
If authorities were called to the scene, they will generate a police report. This is a core piece of evidence in personal injury claims.
If the accident involved property damage – like a car accident – you will need to keep a record of all losses incurred.
You should always get inspected by the medical team after an accident – even if you don’t feel any pain. This assessment will play a role in the personal injury claim.
The purpose of the initial consultation is to assess the details of your case and determine its validity in accordance with personal injury laws.
Most consultations with personal injury lawyers are FREE.
The goal of a personal injury claim is to get compensated for ALL damages, which include economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
Economic damages are easy to quantify – as they involve financial losses like medical bills, estimates for future medical treatment, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, property damage, etc.
Non-economic damages involve pain and suffering, reduced quality of life, lost companionship, and so on. As there is no paper trail of these damages, you and your attorney will need to calculate a dollar amount.
Punitive damages are intended to punish the at-fault party for reckless behavior.
PunitivInitiating the process starts by notifying the at-fault party’s insurance provider about the incident, which is typically done via a ‘Letter of Claim’ – outlining the circumstances of the accident, the extent of your injuries, and why you believe their client is at fault.e damages are intended to punish the at-fault party for reckless behavior.
Your attorney will engage in discussions with the at-fault party’s insurance company to fight for fair compensation. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney may advise taking the claim to court.
Legal procedures generally include promptly reporting and filing necessary paperwork within deadlines. This works to legitimize your claim and preserve crucial evidence in a personal injury trial.
Read the full post to learn more filing a personal injury claim in Wisconsin.