Personal injury claims are tricky and it is best to consult with an attorney before filing. If you choose to handle the claim yourself, it is important to first review the procedures and deadlines for submitting the claim. For example, where an injury occurs on a city street or other public property, a claimant may be required to submit a request for damages to the public entity itself and receive a rejection notice before he or she can file a lawsuit. The time limits for filing a claim or lawsuit also vary depending on who caused the injury and where the injury occurred. If you miss the deadline for filing the claim, you lose your right to recover from the responsible party.
Once you have followed the correct procedures for submitting a claim to a person or entity, an insured party will send the claim to their insurer. An insurance adjuster will then be assigned to evaluate your claim. The adjuster will ask you to corroborate any claimed injuries with medical records and bills. You may be required to see a doctor hired by the insurance company who will offer an opinion regarding the extent of your injuries. In some cases, the claimant may also be asked to attend an examination in which he or she describes the accident and injuries under penalty of perjury before a court reporter. Where the injuries are less serious, you may simply be asked to provide a recorded statement.
Generally, the insurer's goal is to pay you as little as possible in compensation. Insurance company experts are skilled at minimizing injuries and finding reasons why you are at fault.
When the insurance company has sufficient information, the adjuster will either reject your claim or make a settlement offer. If you accept, you will be asked to release any further claims against the responsible party or insurance company before you receive payment. Since this will bar any subsequent claims, it is important to ensure that your medical treatment has concluded before you accept any money or sign a release.
If the insurance company's settlement offer is too low, and you are still within the allowable time to sue, you have the option of filing a small claims court action or hiring an attorney to file a lawsuit against the responsible party. An attorney will hire experts to objectively evaluate the evidence and testify on your behalf. He or she will also represent you at settlement conferences and depositions, locate favorable witnesses, and prepare the case for trial.
Whether or not you hire an attorney, your goal should be fair compensation.
Specialists in personal injury claims
Article Source:- GoArticle.com
*****************End of Article**********************
Other Source of Information:- Personal injury Claims | Burn Injury Lawyer