If you’ve been in an accident, your first step is to seek medical attention. A physician will conduct diagnostics to determine the level and severity of your injuries.
This is a critical step because many injuries may take days, weeks, and even months to show symptoms. Injuries like concussions, internal bleeding, blood clots and traumatic stress disorders reveal themselves over time. A doctor will be able to detect the signs of these injuries and help document your case and suggest the best treatment available.
The next steps are essential to building your case:
Speak with an attorney. Ideally, you should interview several attorneys about your case to determine your next steps and to find the right person for the job. Referrals are great. However, what worked well for one person might not work well for another. Take into consideration their style of work, expertise and track record.
Identify the defendant
Who’s at fault? Many personal injury lawsuits seek to demonstrate that the defendant acted negligently, recklessly, or intentionally. The defendant can be a person, a company, or an entity. Talking through your case with a skilled attorney will help pinpoint where the responsibility lies and if you should proceed. Not all cases are worth fighting.
Determining damages
Your damages should cover all your losses, not just your medical expenses. Consider lost wages and the costs associated with your pain and suffering. An attorney and their legal team will help you record the expenses while dealing with the impact of your injuries.
Act quickly
Don’t delay in taking legal action. Once you’ve been in an accident, you don’t want to wait to go to the doctor or meet with an attorney. The longer you wait, the harder your case will be to prove. Most states have a limited time to file a lawsuit. In Florida, it’s four years.
Paying for your lawsuit
Most personal injury attorneys work on contingency. In other words, they don’t make money unless you win. Even if you’re not paying legal bills while your attorney works on your case, you might still need money to help you cover expenses. Consider contacting a lawsuit funding company and other lenders that specialize in legal financing.
Please contact us at Winston Law to discuss your case. Email info@winstonlaw.com or call 954-475-9666.
