If you have been injured due to someone’s negligence, you may be able to claim compensation for losses. A personal injury lawyer in Louisville, KY, explains how you can get the compensation you need.
Maximizing Compensation in Kentucky: Tips from an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer in Louisville, KY
Get Medical Attention (and Follow Through with Treatment!)
After an accident, get medical attention as soon as possible, not only for your well-being, but also for an official record of the injuries. That documentation will be important for proving your economic damages. Also, be sure to follow through on the recommendations of the doctor. If you stop treatment early, it may indicate that your injuries were not as severe as you are claiming, and may mean that you cannot get as much compensation as you are asking for.
Gather Evidence and Document Everything
Take photographs or videos of the accident scene. If possible, collect witness statements and contact information for people who saw what happened. If the incident involved a defective product, save the packaging and the product in a safe place. Keep documentation of lost wages, medical diagnoses, and medical treatment, as well as all bills related to the incident. Think not only medical bills, but also bills for transportation to and from medical appointments or anything else related to the incident and your injury.
Consider what your future expenses may be due to the injury. Will you have more medical expenses later? Will you need long-term care? Will your earning capacity be reduced? If necessary, consult with medical specialists and other experts to help you assess your future losses from this incident.
Record Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are the intangible losses you’ve incurred because of the injury. This means, for example, the pain from the injury, the emotional distress you’ve experienced, or the loss of enjoyment of things you used to do but no longer can since the incident. You want to keep a record of these intangible losses. Keep a journal describing how you are feeling from day today. Get written statements or audio recordings from friends and family describing your condition after the accident. You might even get evaluated by a psychologist or other mental health professional.
Get Legal Help
Having an attorney’s assistance can make a significant difference in the compensation you receive. Research has been done comparing self-represented claims and those represented by a lawyer. The claims which had a lawyer’s help settled for a great deal more than those which were self-represented. The reason for this is knowledge and experience: a personal injury lawyer knows the laws related to personal injury, and what compensation might be claimed based on those laws.
They also have experience in negotiations to guide them in knowing when to settle and when to hold their ground. An experienced attorney will be prepared to reject multiple offers and be ready to take the matter to court if the insurance company refuses to give a reasonable settlement.
If you have been injured due to someone’s negligence, get in touch with Winton & Hiestand Law Group, PLLC, in Louisville, KY.
