I always assumed that personal injury cases where pretty straight forward. After being in an accident, any financial losses that you suffered would be reimbursed by the liable party's insurance company. Unfortunately, things only work this way in a perfect world. In the real world, personal injury cases are extremely complex and getting the insurance company to pay a fair settlement requires the expertise of an experienced injury lawyer. Unfortunately, it took me several months to finally seek out the legal assistance I needed. As a result, I waited much longer than necessary to get the compensation I so desperately needed. During this time, I learned more about personal injury law than I ever thought I would. It is my hope that this blog will allow me to share that knowledge with you so that you can avoid making some of the same mistakes that I did.
It can be confusing to know where to turn after you've suffered harm through no fault of your own. Most people have seen television shows with judges deciding cases about everything from personal injury claims to divorce and paternity. In real life, you have a choice between taking action in small claims court or civil court. Read on to find out more about both of these options so that you can act quickly and decisively after an injury.
Small and Informal Settings
Small claims court allows victims to have their cases heard in a more casual atmosphere. The main issue with small claims actions is the dollar limit on your damages. Many people don't know how much they should be asking for when they get harmed. Money damages can be a confusing part of personal injury issues and it's very easy for laymen to represent themselves in small claims court and end up winning far less than they deserve. In addition, each state has limits on the amount of damage victims can ask for and the amounts vary widely.
For example, if you were bitten by a neighborhood dog, you may be paid as much as $15,000 by filing a claim in Georgia. While this sum seems like a lot, victims may need future medical coverage if they later need plastic surgery or skin grafts to cover scars. In that case, $15,000 is not likely enough to cover those future medical bills. The best way to proceed before you seek money in small claims court is to speak with a personal injury attorney to find out the full extent of how much you should be paid in compensation from the dog's owner.
Larger and More Complex Claims
If your case involved more than the monetary limit allowed by your state in small claims court or involved more complexities, you may need to file in civil court. It's best not to represent yourself and not take any sort of action without knowing what you deserve. Once you consult with a personal injury lawyer, steps are taken to try to resolve things outside of court by a monetary settlement. You can be paid quicker if you don't have to go to court.
If you must take your case to court, the monetary reward will be worth it. Personal injury court can result in very large monetary damages and cover you for:
Speak to a personal injury lawyer about your case and find out more about what to do and how to take the right action.
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