What You Should Know If You've Been Injured
Nobody plans to get injured doing something, but the unfortunate fact is that it will happen sometimes. If you suffer a bad injury and feel like it is due to incompetence on the part of someone else, you do not have to just sit by and take it. You can file a lawsuit against the person or company you believe to be responsible.
Check to see the size of the firm before you make your decision. Try to find a law firm that matches the size of the case that you are up against. For minor claims, this is not as important.
To determine whether a personal injury lawyer is right for you, make sure to ask who they usually represent in these types of cases. Do they tend to work with the person who has been hurt or do they normally represent insurance companies? Furthermore, finding out what their track record is (i.e., how many wins versus losses they have) is important.
Although personal injury lawyers advertise in the yellow pages, the better way to find a good lawyer is through word of mouth. If you don't know anyone who has used a personal injury lawyer, check with the local bar association. They may be able to point you in the right direction.
Many people do not realize all of the expenses you can claim once you have had an accident. While you may be aware of things like lost wages and the cost of medications, be aware that you can also sue for any money that you had to spend on mileage to and from the doctor and attorney's office.
If your case involves an insurance company, ask the lawyer if he has experience dealing with insurance company negotiations. If the attorney does not have ample experience, it is in your best interest to look for a different attorney. Most insurance companies hire a group of lawyers to represent them in these type cases; therefore, it is important that you have an attorney with experience in these types of negotiations.
Be reasonable with the amount of your claim. If you are asking for an unreasonable about in restitution, the judge presiding over the case is less likely to take you seriously. If you are reasonable with your claim you have a better chance of winning your case and collecting money.
When you want to win a personal injury case, look for a boutique firm. The smaller, more specialized firms tend to do a better job on such a case. They have the passion and drive, plus the knowledge and experience necessary to get you a win or a big settlement offer.
If you like to exercise to keep in shape, take the proper precautions to avoid injuring your muscles. Stretch before and after each workout in order to warm up and cool down your muscles. This will make it less likely for you to experience a tear or other personal injury.
If you have to purchase and prescriptions or medical equipment as a result of an injury, make sure that you get the receipts and turn them in to your attorney. He will submit them as evidence and it may help you receive a bigger settlement than you had originally anticipated.
Come up with a monetary amount that will cover your injury. Do not simply pull a number out of the air, but instead, come up with an amount that is fair. Consider any lost wages, doctor's costs, the cost of your vehicle if it was damaged, too, and any other costs involved with your injury.
There is a lot of information that you will need to give to your personal injury lawyer. If you were involved in a car accident, for example, make sure they know what day and time the accident happened. You also need to inform them as to where the accident was and whether or not there were any extenuating circumstances (i.e., bad weather).
You should talk with several personal injury lawyers before you decide which one you would like to represent you. Many people make a judgement on this too fast, and they end up with a lawyer that is not as good as they had hoped for. It mat take a while, but it will be worth it to explore a few options.
Just like when hiring a plumber or electrician, choosing the cheapest option is not typically your best bet. Instead, getting multiple quotes and then choosing from the middle will often render the best results. This is the same process you should go through when hiring a personal injury attorney for your case.
Make sure to have contact information for a backup in case your attorney cannot be reached. This might be another attorney in the office, a paralegal or some other assistant. Having someone to contact in an emergency is important, especially when you are considering a case that could make the difference in your health and financial future.
If you need to represent yourself in a personal injury claim, you need to research the amount of a reasonable settlement. Ultimately, the judge is going to decide on this number, but if you are way above the amount that can be awarded, you may actually get less. Lost wages, pain and suffering, scarring, disfigurement, medical bills, all fall into the amount that you need to have in your settlement.
Always have an up-front, face-to-face meeting with the personal injury lawyer before you make a commitment to their services. Your lawyer will be your trusted friend over the next few weeks and if you aren't comfortable around them, things simply won't work. It's always great to have a lawyer who you could see yourself hanging around even if there had been no accident.
Make sure that a limited tort does not apply to your personal injury claim. Sometimes people are accident injury lawyers near me limited but it can be nullified if the at fault party has previous convictions for DUI. You do not want to have your settlement limited. Check and make sure that a limited tort does not apply.
Watch for red flags when talking to prospective personal injury lawyers. It's usually not good idea to go with a lawyer that represents insurance companies. You need one that has experience representing injured persons. You should not choose a lawyer that asks for money or a retainer upfront or one that rejects a contingency fee. Avoid those lawyers that won't honor your wishes or sign the retainer agreement.
Filing a type of personal injury case is troublesome and can take years to come to a solution, but you can be compensated for your difficulties and bills. This article should help you achieve your goals. It can help both you and others.
'Scared of heights' injury claimant filmed on Europe's biggest waterslide
A bodybuilder who claimed an accident left him scared of heights was exposed when a video emerged of him careering down Europe's highest waterslide.
Ben Bardsley, 38, of Stockport, Greater Manchester made a personal injury claim after falling into a pond in 2015.
He said it left him with a fear of heights and unable to lift weights.
His case was dismissed as "nonsense" at Manchester County Court after footage was shown of him being propelled 108ft (33m) down the Verti-Go in Spain.
'Lost everything'
The gym owner had brought a claim against Warrington Koi and Aquatics which was digging a pond in his garden in July 2015.
As he inspected the work, Mr Bardsley was struck by the bucket of the digger and knocked into the pond.
The court heard he claimed in medical evidence he fell with his arms outstretched, which caused injuries to his neck and back and left him unable to lift weights and caused an anxiety of heights.
But insurance company Aviva, which acted for the pond supplier, was suspicious and instructed lawyers to investigate further.
The probe uncovered an array of posts on social media showing him lifting large weights after the date of his fall.
Ben Bardsley
IMAGE SOURCE,CLYDE & CO
Image caption,Ben Bardsley claimed his injuries after the fall meant he was unable to lift weights
Mr Bardsley also posted a video of himself grinning as he enters a capsule on the Verti-Go slide in Benidorm which descends at more than 62mph (100kph) in just three seconds.
He is also seen laughing and flexing his muscles in front of a group of children as he leaves the ride.
Dismissing his claim on 23 January, Recorder Richard Hartley QC said the idea that someone going down such a slide would struggle with heights was "nonsense" and ruled he was guilty of "fundamental dishonesty in respect of his claim".
Damian Rourke of Clyde & Co, representing Aviva, said the claimant's damages were estimated at about £4,500 but by "exaggerating" his injuries to four to five times the actual amount "he lost everything".
He was ordered to pay £14,000 in legal costs.
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