1. What damages can I seek in my personal injury lawsuit?
Damages you can seek in your personal injury lawsuit dependon the type of injury and the circumstances of your case. Compensatory Damages which are the most common and well-known type of damages in a personal injury lawsuit include medical bills, lost wages, loss of future income, cost of future medical care, personal property damage and anythingelse paid out-of-pocket as a result of the accident. It might also be possible to receive damages related to pain and suffering or punitive damages.
2. The person that caused my injury is claiming that it was my fault. What do I do?
Negligence cases often involve a he-said/she-said scenario where the injured party is blamed for what happened. And in some cases the injured party is partially at fault. Personal injury attorneys have access to a network of investigators and accident reconstruction professionals who can provide scientific evidence regarding your accident. Your attorney can help you prove who caused the injury and increase the odds you will receive the compensation to which you are entitled.
3. What should I avoid doing after an accident?
There are several things you should avoid doing after you have been involved in an accident. These include:
- Admitting fault, even if you did something to cause or partially cause the accident
- Refusing to receive medical attention
- Allowing anyone to badger you into not collecting evidence or pursuing a case against the guilty party
- Talking to or negotiating with insurance companies without an attorney
- Accepting the first settlement you are offered by the insurance company
4. How Much Time Do I Have After I Am Injured To File A Lawsuit?
The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit varies from state to state, but is typically one to six years. In some states, the type of personal injury claim can also have a bearing on the time limit. Personal injury claims that involve minors typically do not start the statute of limitations until the minor turns 18. It is also important to note the Discovery of Harm Rule which states the time period a person has to take legal action does not begin until the person filing suit knew (or should have known) that they had suffered harm.
5. What is a bodily injury claim?
A bodily injury claim is a legal claim filed when bodily harm is caused to you, or anyone else covered on your insurance policy. A person who files a bodily injury claim might be entitled to economic damages,such as lost wages, medical bills, rental car charges and so forth. When filing a bodily injury claim, you will be required to supply details regarding the event(s) that led to the injury to your insurance company.
6. How will personal injury claim affect my insurance?
It depends on whether you were the person who caused the claim to be filed or not. If someone did something that caused harm to you, it should not have a bearing on your insurance premiums. But if you were at fault and a personal injury claim is made against you, it can result in your insurance premiums being raised. If the insurance company determines you are a significant risk they can drop your coverage.
