Personal injury can occur out of the blue. It’s usually abrupt and the last thing on your mind at the time of occurrence. In the blink of an eye, your life has been dramatically altered for the worse. In the ensuing months, you spend time away from work and in a doctor’s office or in physical therapy. Aside from the eroding quality of life, there is also immense financial strain that comes with a personal injury. If the cause was due to a negligent third-party, then you may want to consider your legal options by contacting Carencro personal injury lawyers.
Common Types of Personal Injury
Most people automatically think of automobile accidents when they think of personal injury. Indeed, car accidents are a leading cause of litigations. According to the National Safety Council, an estimated 4.6 million Americans were injured while behind the wheel. A sizable number end up filing a claim, either against another driver or the vehicle manufacturer.
Beyond car accidents, other forms of litigation claims include public liability, such as a slip and fall in a city-owned space. Workplace injury is yet another and is especially common in hard-hat industries like the construction sector. Other forms include medical malpractice and product liability.
What Happens After Contacting a Lawyer?
Contact Carencro personal injury lawyers to get the gears going. A consultation is free. This is especially worth emphasizing because so many people have misconceptions that lawyers charge an arm and a leg for every minute of their time. It is only when there is a successful outcome – either through a court win or settlement – that we collect a portion of your claim total.
A lawyer will examine the scenario surrounding your injury. This is where you must be diligent and provide as much detail as possible. Be honest, and we also suggest recording the information, either through writing or audio of the event right after the incident. Your written record should include:
- Time the accident occurred
- What you were doing when the accident took place
- Names and contact info of witnesses
- Photos of visible injuries
- Other relevant photos, such as damaged vehicle, defective product, etc.
Based on the information you provide; the attorney will determine whether your case would hold water in litigation court. If so, your lawyer will guide you on what to do next. Be prepared to make court appearances a normal part of your schedule. Most litigation cases take anywhere between one to two years. Opting for a settlement midway is also an option at any time.
If you opt not to get a lawyer involved, the insurance company may deny your claim or get you to agree to a smaller monetary sum that doesn’t adequately cover medical bills and punitive damage.
