Long Island Personal Injury Lawyer

How To Handle A Personal Injury Case

Common Questions, Helpful Tips & A Checklist
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What is a Personal Injury Case?

Did you receive medical care after a car crash, falling in a store, or being bitten by a dog? If you suffered bodily harm that wasn’t your fault, you could be eligible for financial compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. But how do you know whether or not you have a personal injury case?

Knowing when to contact a personal injury lawyer can be difficult to determine. After all, injuries can occur for a variety of reasons and sometimes there is nothing that could’ve been done to prevent them. Sometimes you’re injured because you’ve made a mistake. However, if you were injured and it wasn’t your fault, you should not be held responsible for your medical bills or forced to deal with the situation without personal injury compensation.

Pursuing A Personal Injury Lawsuit

In order to file a personal injury lawsuit, you’ll need to show you suffered harm because of negligent or wrongful action on the part of another person or entity. This is a formal way of saying you got hurt and it was somebody else’s fault. In order 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 cars, trucks, and motorcycle accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car and truck accidents account for more than 3 million injuries every year.

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. If you are injured while at work, you’d be placing a workplace accident claim. Workplace accidents and construction accidents include fall from heights, scaffolds, ladders, roofs, 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 of the important issues and ensure your rights and well-being are protected following an accident.

 

In the moments, days, and weeks following an 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 important issue and you can worry about other aspects of an accident later.  Make sure you report the accident to the police, employer and/or 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 relevant information, such as the names and addresses of people involved in the accident, as well as witnesses. If you weren’t able to collect this information at the scene of the accident 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 the medical care you receive. In addition to the doctors treating you, make a note of the treatment received and when it occurred. Also, keep a running list of everyone who contacts you. You shouldn’t be making statements to anyone calling you – especially insurance companies – but you’ll want to let your personal 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 legal-based strategies an individual can follow in order 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 evidence related to the incident. 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 play an important part 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 own peril. A slip of your tongue can work against you when claiming for 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 on.

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

Let Us Be Your Long Island Personal Injury Lawyer

During our initial consultation, you’ll want to bring along all information you’ve collected that’s 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 be compensated for your injuries, lost earnings, and pain and suffering damages. We will ensure your rights are protected as your Long Island personal injury lawyer. Our goal is to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve quickly. Contact The Law Offices of Elan Wurtzel today to get started with a free consultation!

Elan Wurtzel

Personal Injury Attorney

527 Old Country Rd.
Plainview, New York 11803

Phone: (516) 822-7866
Fax: (516) 822-7889

Quality representation you need ... Respect, compassion, and attention you deserve.

 

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