You should contact an attorney immediately following any accident in which injury occurs. The attorney will help you determine whether or not it is appropriate to file a personal injury lawsuit. With regard to personal injury cases, injury can be both physical and emotional, and inflicted by another person or entity. If you are involved in an accident, recording as much detail as possible will be very beneficial if you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit.
If you’re injured due to the negligence of another, collect as much information as you can. For example, if you trip and fall over a torn carpet in an office building, you can use your cell phone camera to take a picture of the carpet. Similarly, if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, contact the police and take lots of pictures. The police report and photographs of vehicle damage and the surrounding area will all help your case if you decide to file a lawsuit. In addition to providing evidence, recorded information and photographs will save you from forgetting important details.
Once you’ve recorded as much pertinent information as possible, contact an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney can help you with everything from obtaining medical treatment and coordinating transportation to dealing with your insurance company and helping you receive possible compensation for your injuries, property damage, and any other associated damages. Avoid signing any documents and talking to insurance companies or the other party’s attorney until you’ve consulted with your own attorney. Your attorney can help you determine whether it’s prudent to file a lawsuit.
A key point to consider is whether the individual or entity you are suing will be able to pay damages. Unless the individual is wealthy, or you have been injured due to the negligence of a large corporation, the defendant’s insurance company will likely be the only source of payment. However, the intent of a personal injury lawsuit is not to create a windfall for the victim. Rather, the victim is entitled to be compensated for physical and emotional injuries (including pain and suffering), vehicle damage, transportation costs, and lost wages. A good attorney will help you obtain compensation for these damages so that you can return to a normal life as soon as possible.
If you have been injured in any type of accident, it is in your best interest to hire an experienced personal injury attorney. Auto accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, and any injuries suffered as the result of another’s negligence can have a profoundly negative impact on your life. Kevin J. Roach knows the true cost of an accident. As Missouri’s preeminent personal injury attorney, he has firsthand knowledge of the physical, emotional, and financial burden that can result from the negligence of another. He knows how to get the compensation you deserve so that you can get on with your life. Contact the law offices of Kevin J. Roach today for a free consultation.
