Blog

Home > Blog

How to make a personal injury claim

An accident can happen to anyone at any time. This is why most people have insurance to cover them against personal injury. In case you sustain an injury as a result of the negligence of a third party or in your workplace, then you are entitled to be compensated. Personal injury compensation can be in three ways. Personal injury as a result of work-related claims, personal injury due to medical negligence, or general injury as a result of an accident. 

1. Report Accident and Get treatment 

When you are involved in an accident and you sustain an injury the first step is to ensure that you undergo a medical examination and get treated. Depending on your jurisdiction, once you get treated the medical practitioner can help you in filing a report about the accident. There are jurisdictions where the medical expert will provide everything needed to file a report of an accident. 

In case the accident happens in the workplace, it is important to file a report with the organization you are working for. The trick in reporting is that you should report the accident to authorities or individuals you believe are responsible. For instance, if you get a personal injury from medical injury, then you should report to the hospital. 

2. Determine if the injury is covered by Insurance 

When you sustain a personal injury and you have insurance cover, it is just natural to file a claim. However personal injury claim insurance policies differ. This is the reason why it is important to look at the injury you have sustained and the insurance policies involved. 

Personal injury claim compensation takes place when the third party who has caused the injury has an insurance cover. Furthermore, in case you have insurance cover against personal injury, then you can make a claim. Depending on the insurance policy, you will be viable to make a claim. It is always good to look at the insurance policy comprehensively to make sure that your injury is covered. 

3. Gather Evidence 

If the injury sustained is not fatal and you are in a position to be conscious, then you should take note about the injury. This involves the address and condition of the place where you sustained the injury. You should also have a record of the circumstances that led to the accident. This information will be important to you when making a claim for compensation. 

Furthermore, in case you incur expenses as a result of the injury, it is also recommended to keep a record of all the expenses incurred. These expenses include the cost of medication, travelling costs, and even compensation as a result of being unable to work because of the injury. 

4. Seek legal advice 

Making a claim is a legal matter and it is best to involve an expert. In case you do not know how to make a personal injury claim, you can seek legal advice. Although you will incur attorney fees, you are better placed to receive higher compensation as opposed to going to it alone. 

Most insurance companies will try to make the least payment and as a result, it is better to involve a legal expert in the whole process. You should work with a legal expert who specializes in personal injury cases instead of a jack of all trade. 

5. Lodge a Claim 

When everything is in order then you can lodge a claim for compensation. At this point, it is important to make a decision whether you want to hire a personal injury attorney or you will file the claim on your own. It is recommended to hire a personal injury lawyer to guide you through the process so as to increase the chances of receiving compensation.

You should lodge your claim by following the advice given by the legal expert. It is important to note that it is not a must to file a suit so as to get compensation. This will only be necessary if the matter is not resolved by the insurance company or a third party involved. 

Conclusion 

It is always important to know how to file a claim for personal injury compensation. When you file a claim using the correct procedures and guidelines as provided above, you will have a better chance of getting compensated.