ESPANOL
It can be hard to uncover the truth about the personal injury claim process. Misinformation about recovering financial compensation after suffering a personal injury is rampant. You may hear conflicting information from friends, family, coworkers, or just about anyone you know who has ever tried to seek compensation from an insurance provider.
Here’s the truth: insurance companies are here to make a profit, so their best interests are in direct conflict with yours. Every dollar they give to victims of personal injury is a dollar that comes out of their profit.
What Counts as a Personal Injury Case?
A personal injury case involves someone injured by another person, often by negligence. A valid personal injury case contains these elements:
- The party responsible for your injuries owed you a duty of care or an obligation to keep you out of harm’s way.
- The party in question behaved carelessly or recklessly.
- The reckless behavior put you in danger and caused you harm.
- You suffered losses.
Just because you are hurt does not mean that you have a valid personal injury case. Our lawyer will listen to your story, evaluate the details, and determine whether you should pursue a claim against the responsible party.
An Overview of the Personal Injury Claim Process
If another person injured you in a perfect world, you would simply file a claim with their insurance provider. The company would then pay you a reasonable amount based on your losses. In the real world, however, insurance providers will try hard to avoid paying you a fair value of your claim. They may offer you a lowball settlement or deny your claim outright.
Your lawyer can help you deal with the insurance company to gain fair compensation. Here is a basic overview of the personal injury claim process:
File a Claim with the At-Fault Party’s Insurance Provider
Where you file your claim depends on where your injury occurred. If you fell at a business or someone’s home, you would file against the owner’s property insurance. If you were hurt in a car accident, you would file against the driver’s car insurance.
According to the South Carolina Department of Insurance, drivers in South Carolina must carry liability insurance. The Georgia Department of Revenue states that Georgia drivers must also carry liability insurance.
Before we file a claim, our team will investigate the incident that caused your injury and losses. We will support your claim with evidence that the at-fault party caused your injuries through negligence and show how much your losses are worth.
Then, our lawyer will file a claim for you with the responsible party’s insurer. Our staff will handle:
- The paperwork
- Supporting documents
- Phone calls
- Emails
- Other written communication
Negotiate a Settlement
Even when people retain a lawyer, most personal injury claims never make it to court. Settling out of court is usually quicker, easier, and lower risk for both sides. Our lawyer will negotiate a settlement that adequately compensates you for your losses.
Take Your Case to Trial
Settlements are not the only option, though. We could also seek damages through litigation by taking your case to trial. Going to court is risky for both sides. Our lawyers will help you decide on the best approach for your situation.
Damages Available in a Personal Injury Case
Damages are meant to compensate you for both tangible and intangible losses. Damages vary from case to case, with more serious injuries generally resulting in larger settlements. Here are some damages that may be available to you:
Economic Damages in a Personal Injury Claim
You could recover economic damages for:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical care
- Medical equipment
- Lost wages
- Property damage
Non-Economic Damages in Personal Injury Claim
You may be able to recover non-economic damages if you:
- Experience chronic pain
- Require a long recovery, multiple surgeries, or other extensive treatments
- Become permanently disabled or disfigured
- Suffer mental anguish
- Experience a reduced quality of life
Your Lawyer Can Help You Through the Personal Injury Claim Process
You can go through the personal injury claim process alone, but many people find this process confusing and overwhelming. You may prefer to work with our lawyers, who have experience handling cases like yours. Our team knows the truth about the personal injury claim process.
If you were injured because of another person’s negligent behavior, you could be entitled to damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more. Our lawyer could navigate the personal injury claim process and pursue damages for these expenses and more.
Call Our Team So We Can Get Started on Your Personal Injury Claim
Call George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers today at (888) 612-7001 for a free case consultation. Our team works on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win your case.* You can also browse our past case results for an idea of our commitment to our clients.