What You Can Do to Improve Your Chances in an Injury Case
It’s unpleasant to think about, but the unfortunate fact is that each one of us is eligible for a personal injury at any time. It could be a slip and fall on an icy sidewalk, a sports injury, a serious injury in a car accident, or any number of other things. Aside from the physical trauma inherent to any injury, there’s also the possibility of psychological and emotional distress, and serious injuries can even result in lost income due to time lost from work, not to mention all the medical expenses for treatment. Injury victims can have their entire lives turned upside down in mere seconds.
Naturally, if you were injured due to the negligence, or intentional malice, of another party, you’ll want to seek fair compensation for medical bills, property damage, lost income, and punitive damages for pain and suffering caused. If your injury occurred in an auto accident, then you’ll need to contact someone like this experienced New Orleans car accident lawyer for a free consultation. There’s no way to guarantee a successful outcome for a personal injury case, and it’s difficult to estimate the number of damages you can pursue since every case is different. Still, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of a successful outcome with any injury case.
Seek medical treatment immediately.
This likely won’t be a choice if you’ve suffered serious injuries, but even if you think you only suffered minor injuries after a car wreck, you still need to be checked by a doctor. Some injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, may not show symptoms right away. Despite this, any form of TBI is extremely serious, and if left untreated, can have consequences for years to come. Seeking immediate medical care is primarily recommended for your own safety.
Additionally, medical records will be extremely important to your attorney if you have a car accident case. Receiving care immediately after the crash proves that all of your injuries were sustained in the accident, which makes it difficult for an insurance company or defendant in a lawsuit to deny your claims. Future medical records will also be important to document your recovery speed, which can impact your case.
Collect as much evidence as possible before the consultation.
Your car accident attorney will need as much photographic and video evidence of the accident as possible. This includes evidence of property damage, photos of injuries, police reports, eyewitness accounts, and anything else that could be relevant. It’s likely difficult, if not impossible, for you to document the accident scene at the time of your injury, but it’s always worthwhile to return later and document any street signs, stoplights, or remaining evidence that the accident occurred to add more context to the scene.
Fortunately, personal injury lawyers generally work on a contingent fee basis, which means you’ll only pay them a percentage of your settlement if you win the case. Because of this, however, each case is a risk for the car accident attorney. You’ll need as much evidence on your side as you can get to convince a lawyer to take on your case.
Take care of yourself in the meantime.
It’s only natural to be stressed out after being injured in a car accident. If you find that you’re dealing with unusual levels of anxiety, feelings of anger or depression, or are otherwise feeling distressed, try using WithTherapy to search for a therapist who can help you come to terms with what’s happened with compassion. This search platform helps you find the right therapist based on your goals, and the system will provide you with a custom list of therapists who can help you.
Make sure to update your attorney if you do decide to pursue therapy, and update them on any other developments in your case as well. While many events may seem insignificant, a wide range of factors can affect your case and your chances, so it’s always best to let your attorney know what’s going on.