When you have had an accident and you are looking to claim there are some things you will want to do, to ensure that you get the amount of compensation you are owed and that you get what you deserve. Maximizing compensation is not about falsifying what has happened, and it is now about adding bits here and there to beef up your account. It is in fact about going through the correct channels at the correct time to ensure that your claim gets handled promptly and that you get a fair settlement.
Get Witness Statements
If you have been involved in an accident whereby there were witnesses around you will want to get as many statements as you can. Having any form of evidence to back up your claim is essential, and having the written word to use is even more beneficial. If for some reason you are unable to get a written statement from anyone who may have witnessed the accident, you should try and get their contact details where possible, as they still might be of use, and help.
Getting Photographic Evidence
If you can, and if it is safe and legal to do so, you would be wise to get photographic evidence if possible. Any photos of the injuries sustained, of the accident scene, of the damage done in the process, can be more than useful in a compensation claim. Photographic evidence is always best if it has a time and date stamp on it, so, where you can get and keep as much photographic evidence as you can, and ensure you make a copy of everything you have
Having an Injury and Incident Log
You will want to create a log, or a timeline of what has happened to you, when and where. A log can help document what you are going through, and what you have been through. Within your log, you should always make a note of hospital or other medical appointments and you should always write down how you are recovering from the accident. When you come to recount your experiences it can be difficult to remember just how you are feeling, and what you are thinking, but if you have a log to refer to you can go back to those thoughts and feelings with relative ease.
Use a Specialist Injury Lawyer
When all is said and done you will want to use a specialist lawyer. A lawyer will help you get the compensation you deserve. Of course, when you are choosing a lawyer you want to ensure that you go for one who is highly experienced and an expert in their field. Claiming compensation can be extremely tiring and tedious, and as such, it is not a job you will want to undertake yourself. When you are looking for a law firm you will want to consider one that is local to your area such as those Douglasville personal injury lawyers who have come highly recommended to you. Ideally, you would use a dedicated and specialist injury lawyer who lived close by to you, just to save on communication, and to ensure that all communication can be handled in both a timely and efficient manner.
Getting Checked over by a Doctor
After an accident and throughout your recovery period it is essential to get checked over by a doctor or other medical professional. If you have any injuries or not, getting checked over is a must. You could be suffering from an internal injury, and what you think is a minor injury could turn out to be a major injury, so never hesitate to get seen and checked over by a doctor. Whenever you see a medical professional, either after the accident has occurred, or throughout your period of recovery or treatment, you must get some sort of documentation to prove what you have attended where and when. Written documentation may be used in your case, and it could help you get more compensation, especially if you have been having to make several trips to the doctor, so always keep evidence, even if it is an appointment card, as it will all come in handy.
Getting a claim handled is a time-sensitive process, and as time is of the essence you really cannot afford to waste any time you have. From when an accident happens time is against you, so ensure that everything you do after this is handled efficiently and effectively. Communication is essential when dealing with a claim, so ensure that you are easily contactable by phone and email as a minimum.
