After The Car Accident: 4 Must-Dos When Filing A Personal Injury Claim

If you are dealing with injuries and car repairs due to an accident that wasn't your fault, consider filing a personal injury claim, so you can be compensated for the pain and suffering you are experiencing. Here are a few must-dos, when filing your personal injury claim:

Hire an Experienced Lawyer

The most important thing you can do to optimize the chance that you'll win your personal injury case is hire a lawyer to represent you. Choose a legal representative to work with who focuses specifically on personal injury cases, such as a car accident lawyer, so you have peace of mind in knowing they have the experience it takes to ensure that nothing important is overlooked while working on your case.

It's a good idea to make sure the lawyer you hire is willing to work on a contingency basis. You won't have to pay any fees, if you don't win your case, and chances are the lawyer who takes on your case wouldn't do so, if they didn't think it could be won.

Provide Photo Evidence

You can help your lawyer win your personal injury case by providing them with some photo evidence. Not only should you provide pictures of the scene where the accident took place, but you should also submit photo evidence of:

• Bruises, scrapes, broken bones, and other physical damage you've suffered that can be captured on camera.

• Dents, scratches, missing parts, and major body damage that your vehicle has suffered.

• Any damage that the other vehicle has suffered.

• The other party's vehicle registration and insurance information.

If you didn't get pictures of the scene of the crash, go back to it as soon as possible to photograph street signs, stop lights, skid marks on the road, and any other landmarks that helps tell a visual story about what happened on the day of the accident.

Be Open to Negotiations

It's also important to be open to negotiations through the personal injury process, for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, if your lawyer is experienced at negotiating with the insurance companies, they may be able to close your case quickly, so you can get paid and move on with your life. Secondly, if you don't engage in the negotiations process, or turn down all the offers sent your way, there is a chance you will lose your case. If the case has to go to trial, it could result in wasted time and a loss of much-needed compensation, when all is said and done.