Personal injury in the eyes of the law is any accident that happens without your own fault. This kind of person injury usually is concerned with vehicles but the damage sustained to you due to the fault of the owner of any property you are within also comes under the banner of personal injury. As a citizen you can take legal action against the person that has caused you damage.
You can file a lawsuit against the person who has caused you pain and suffering and you can be compensated not only for your medical bills but also for the mental trauma or punitive damage you sustained.
There are a host of lawyers who can help you with these claims. Many a times these lawyers will approach you themselves and ask to represent you. When you decide to put a value on the claims there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. Defining the liability is important because that will be the core of your claim. In vehicular accidents the fault is usually quite clear.
The circumstances and the extent of the damage can definitively ascertain who is at fault. If the fault is uncertain then the settlement value put to the case will be almost negligible. This is also the case when both can be at fault but one has sustained more damages.
The type of injury is also extremely important to setting a number on the claim. A large percent of all vehicular accidents result in severe injuries. If this is the case with you it is always best to avail the services of a lawyer. If the injuries are minor like in the case of bruising, minor sprains, bumps and whiplash the claims can be handled on your own. The worth of your case is based completely on the kind of person you are.
If you have been an honest law abiding citizen then the case may turn on your favor but if you have a criminal record or a record of too many personal injury claims then your testimony’s credibility may be seriously hampered.
There have been a number of fraudulent cases that have been filed in the courts over the years. To make sure that there is no such problem in your case there are a few steps you can take before filing the claim. The first thing to do is to make contact with a personal injury attorney who is considerably experienced. The lawyer will proceed to ask you a number of routine and ordinary cases that will help him or her figure out the authenticity of the case.
If the lawyer has dealt with this sort of case before he or she will be able to tell you what steps need to be taken if your case is genuine. Try to hire a lawyer who does not take a fee up front. These kinds of lawyers typically take a percentage of your winnings. This ensures that the lawyer will be just as invested in the case as you are.