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A personal injury accident is a significant loss. The victim may have devastating injuries, and these injuries may be permanent. Some of the financial losses are direct, like medical bills. Other losses are indirect.
For example, a victim may not be able to work. Their loved ones may become caregivers, or the family may have the added financial strain of hiring help for childcare and other things that the injured party used to do for the family.
If you’re an accident victim in Las Vegas, you may already know that it’s crucial to hire a personal injury attorney Las Vegas to claim compensation for your car accident injuries. However, what you do before you hire an attorney can impact the compensation you receive.
There are essential steps for a victim to take even before they hire their attorney. Here are six things that you need to know before hiring a personal injury attorney to get maximum compensation:
1. It’s Important to Start Gathering the Evidence that You Can
When you hire a personal injury attorney, they can get to work right away to gather evidence. However, there is also evidence that only you can collect right away. It’s your one chance to get the evidence that’s available at the accident scene. Remember, only gather evidence at the scene if you can do so safely.
If you can, take photos of the accident scene. Make notes and take pictures of anything that may have contributed to the accident like a broken railing or stairs. If the accident is a car accident, take photos of the damage to the vehicles, where they come to a stop in the road, and any marks left in the street from the cars.
In addition, take the time to locate witnesses. Write down contact information for anyone who may have witnessed the accident. Your attorney can take that information and later use it to build the case.
2. Seek Medical Care Right Away
Getting timely medical care is important. It can’t wait until you have an attorney. Emergency or urgent care establishes that you were in an accident. It identifies the true extent of the injuries and begins to build a timeline for recovery. You will continue your medical care after you have a personal injury attorney. However, it’s vital to start medical treatment as soon as possible after an accident.
3. Value the Full Amount of Your Claim
The other party may try to settle the case quickly. However, it’s a mistake to agree on a resolution without understanding the claim’s full amount. You may deserve more than you realize.
Pain and suffering and mental anguish are two essential parts of a case. If you don’t think about these factors, you might receive too little for your claim. Be sure to think about your claim’s full amount even before you have a personal injury attorney.
4. Don’t Settle Without Considering Future Damages
Some damages after a personal injury accident happen right away. Others, you may not encounter for a long time. Medical bills may last throughout your life. Also, your lost wages may occur far into the future. Your losses may include future raises and promotions.
Before you hire a personal injury lawyer, understand that you may have a right to future damages. Don’t settle your case until you evaluate these damages and include them with your attorney.
5. Be Careful What You Say
In the aftermath of a personal injury accident, there may be people who ask you for statements. The insurance company may ask you for a written statement, or they may ask you to record a conversation. However, many people don’t realize that what they say to others can be used against them in court.
Most states have rules that allow the defense to put statements of the victim into court. That means, if you say something to the insurance company, even before you have an attorney, that statement may be admissible evidence in the case. Once you have an attorney, they can be the go-between with you and the insurance company. Until then, it’s important to be very careful with what you say to the insurance company.
6. Learn About the Law
It’s never too early to begin educating yourself about the law. Most accident victims don’t know a lot about accident laws to begin with. However, it’s essential to understand how many rights accident victims really have.
As a victim, you may have the right to compensation. Legal standing can be based on negligence, which is a failure on the part of the party responsible to use ordinary care to prevent the accident. In other words, do not underestimate your legal right to compensation.
It’s also important to understand what you have to prove to win compensation and that your monetary relief may include pain and suffering, and emotional damage. Your Las Vegas personal injury attorney can more thoroughly explain your rights, but it’s helpful to understand that state laws protect accident victims.
How a Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help You
A Las Vegas personal injury lawyer can assist you with all of the steps involved in an accident. It’s crucial to involve them in the case as soon as possible. They can gather evidence, talk to witnesses, and guide you to the necessary medical care. They handle all interactions with any insurance companies and the other party. With the assistance of a personal injury lawyer, you can build your case in the right way and fight for the compensation that you deserve.
Author’s Bio:
Tracy Cortez is a blogger for Adam S. Kutner, a personal injury law firm based in Las Vegas.