How To Handle A Personal Injury Case in NY

Pursuing A Personal Injury Lawsuit

To file a personal injury lawsuit, you must show you suffered harm because of negligent or wrongful action by another person or entity. This is a formal way of saying you got hurt, and was somebody else’s fault. To “win” a personal injury lawsuit, you’ll need to show liability (that it was the other party’s fault) and that there were damages (your injuries).

Common Personal Injury Lawsuits

There are many different causes of personal injury lawsuits. Some of the most common involve vehicle accidents, including car, truck, and motorcycle accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car and truck accidents account for over 3 million yearly injuries.

In addition to personal injury lawsuits related to motor vehicles, there are also several types of premises liability personal injury lawsuits, including slip and fall accidents, dog bites, swimming pool accidents, fires, inadequate security, elevator and escalator accidents, construction site accidents, and exposure to toxic chemicals. Suppose you are injured while at work; you’d place a workplace accident claim. Workplace and construction accidents include falls from heights, scaffolds, ladders, roofs, and operating equipment accidents.

Personal Injury Case Checklist

Being injured in an accident can be scary.

Whether it’s you or a loved one who was involved, there are certain things you can do to reduce the stress that comes after a personal injury accident. A step-by-step approach can be one of the easiest ways to address all critical issues and ensure your rights and well-being are protected following an accident.

In the moments, days, and weeks following a personal injury accident, you should:

• Seek medical treatment, if necessary.

• Report the personal injury accident to the police.

• Gather and organize information relevant to the incident.

• Keep a running list of important case contact information.

• Meet with a personal injury lawyer.

• Determine if you have a case.

Tend To Your Medical Needs

Your health is the most critical issue; you can worry about other aspects of an accident later.  Ensure you report the accident to the police, employer, and person responsible for where the accident occurred. Also, make insurance claims as necessary — no-fault, workers’ comp, etc.

Gather Information

Once you’ve tended to your medical needs, it’s time to gather information that’s relevant to your situation. Start a file for pertinent information, such as the names and addresses of people involved in the accident and witnesses. If you couldn’t collect this information at the accident scene because you were injured, it should be in the police report, and your attorney can help you gain access.

You’ll also want to keep careful records of your medical care. In addition to the doctors treating you, please note the treatment received and when it occurred. Also, keep a running list of everyone who contacts you. It would be best if you weren’t making statements to anyone calling you – especially insurance companies – but you’ll want to let your accident lawyer know you’ve been contacted.

3 Ways To Make A Personal Injury Lawsuit Stronger

The latest reports, according to CDC.Gov National Center for Health Statistics, reveal that more than 30 million people are rushed to the emergency room each year due to injuries and unintentional accidents in the United States.

Following a professional personal injury lawsuit process will increase the probability of a favorable outcome for your settlement. Even though there are certain things that the injured individual cannot change, such as how and where they were hurt, there are legal-based strategies an individual can follow to maximize his or her chances of getting adequately compensated for his/her injuries.

Have proof of what happened during the accident

The best way to document proof of your accident is to photograph any incident evidence. Even if you are not in a position to do so, you can instruct a friend or colleague to take pictures of the accident’s evidence. These photographs will be important in building the case and getting a favorable result on your behalf.

The next step is to talk to a reputable personal injury lawyer. Many accident victims delay this step and suffer the consequences in the long run. You might be amazed at how many victims make the mistake of trusting the insurance adjuster, even to their peril. A slip of your tongue can work against you when claiming compensation. A professional personal injury lawyer on Long Island knows what to say and what not to say under such circumstances. That is why you should speak to such a personal injury lawyer before talking to the insurance adjuster. This will protect you from accidentally saying something that could be used against you later.

All personal injury lawsuits – even the strongest–will have weaknesses. That is why you must never lie to your personal injury lawyer. However insignificant an incident might seem to you, it may be necessary. Trying to hide essential facts from your personal injury lawyer can hurt your case.

During our initial consultation, you’ll want to bring along all information you’ve collected relevant to your accident.

• Police accident reports
• Copies of your medical bills
• Vehicle insurance policies
• Letters you’ve received from insurance companies
• Information related to the time you’ve missed from work
• Receipts from costs associated with the accident (such as car repairs or miscellaneous expenses)

You have a right to compensation for your injuries, lost earnings, and pain and suffering damages. As your Long Island personal injury lawyer, we will ensure your rights are protected. Our goal is to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve quickly. Contact The Law Offices of Elan Wurtzel today for a free consultation!