After suffering a personal injury, your first thought may be to seek compensation from the guilty party. You have to deal with potential medical costs for surgery or treatment and cover possible damages that occurred to your property. It is not fair to pay for all of that yourself since you are not at fault. So, compensation could really make a difference.
But claiming compensation after suffering a personal injury is not exactly a piece of cake. You must know how to do it right if you want to be successful.
Fortunately, this article is packed with information on what to do if you ever find yourself in this situation.
How Much Can You Claim in Compensation for Personal Injury?
Compensation will differ from one injured individual to another. The amount you get will depend on your situation. Two things will be estimated during any compensation settlement, respectively general damages and special damages.
General damages are meant to give you compensation for any injury you have suffered, as well as for your suffering and pain. Meanwhile, special damages will offer you compensation for loss of earnings, expenses you have dealt with as a result of the injury, as well as future care needs.
Because of this, it is hard to know how much one individual will get in compensation. Several things will come into play, such as how bad your illness or injury is, whether you have lost earnings, what expenses you have incurred, whether you need to go to therapy, rehabilitation, support, and so on.
Time Limits for Making Personal Injury Claims
When it comes to a personal injury claim, you should ensure you make it on time. There are time limits that apply for these cases, and you should make your claim within this timeframe.
Usually, in a case where negligence caused the injury, the time limit for making a claim is 3 years. Therefore, you should ensure court proceedings take place within that time limit. There are cases when the court may actually extend the time limit, but it depends on the case’s circumstances.
Ideally, you should hire a legal expert if you want to claim compensation so you can get the advice you need.
In 2020 alone, there were about 57,500 nonfatal illnesses and injuries in the workplace reported by private industry employers. Many people who suffer from workplace injuries end up seeking compensation, and they do this with the help of Clarksville personal injury lawyers or attorneys based in their area.
Making a Personal Injury Claim
If you are ready to make your personal injury claim, here are the steps you should go through:
- Report the Incident
First things first, report the accident to the person you believe is responsible for your injury.
- Collect Evidence
You should then gather as much evidence as possible. Therefore, note anything that could serve as proof at the place of the accident. If you can, take photographs and videos of the area too, as well as your injuries and the things that contributed to the injury.
If there are witnesses, you should also take their addresses and names. Keep everything in a secure place as it will help you when you make your personal injury claim and seek compensation.
- Contact an Experienced Lawyer
Personal injury lawyers can help you in a situation where you need to claim compensation for an injury caused by someone else. Analyze your options and find the right lawyer in your area.
Give the lawyer the details of the incident and you can then work to create the best strategy to obtain compensation.
What Happens If the Accident Occurred in a Public Place?
If the accident took place in a public place, you could still make a personal injury claim and get compensated for your pain and suffering. The company or individual who is responsible for the public area’s maintenance or owns it should compensate you through their public liability insurance policy. In this case, you should make the claim against the insurance company instead.
The Bottom Line
Whether you have suffered a superficial or severe injury due to someone else’s negligence, you should always seek compensation. It will help you cover the costs for any suffering, pain, or loss you might have experienced. For the best results, hire an experienced and skilled personal injury lawyer based in your area. He or she will give you advice and work hard to make sure you get a fair settlement.
