A personal injury claim is a lengthy process. Often times your injuries must first reach a point of being medically stationary, so that the proper damages are accountable. Afterwards, there comes the filing of the claim, the wait for a response to a claim, then preparation for trial or settlement. A personal injury claim case can easily last up to two years.
In some cases, waiting for the best conditions can benefit you as the injured party. In others, you may need the money faster and not have the time to wait. With such a large amount of time needed to complete a personal injury case, it’s no wonder the parties involved will want the process over with so that they can move on with their lives.
What Are Some Tips to Speed Up a Personal Injury Claim?
Even the fastest of personal injury cases takes a substantial amount of time. However, you can do a few things to speed up the process if you’re seeking compensation for personal injury.
Items to Bring to Your Personal Injury Consultation
An experienced Los Angeles personal injury attorney will know what must happen to get your injury claim started, and will conduct the necessary investigations. Though your attorney will most likely seek out this information during an investigation, you can still help speed up the process by bringing these items to your consultation meeting:
- Police or Accident Report – Having an official record of the incident will help your lawyer learn the facts and process your claim faster. It will also help your lawyer provide more accurate advice during your consultation.
- Pictures – By the time you’ve sought medical help and contacted an attorney, it’s likely that the scene of your accident will be back to normal. Taking photos and videos after an accident provides a record of the scene as well as critical evidence.
- Written Summary of Facts – An official police or accident report will already give an objective account of the events, but your personal account is helpful as well. Your attorney will ask about your experience during consultation, and already having a written document saves both of you time.
- Medical Bills – Sometimes it is not possible to bring all your medical bills to consultation, but whatever you can provide will help your attorney build an estimate of your claim. An attorney can obtain bills through your healthcare provider’s records administrator, but this process can take time, and possibly follow-up requests.
- Health Insurance Information – Depending on your accident, there may be a hospital lien attached to your claim. Bringing your health insurance information lets your attorney get a head start on checking and starting the subrogation process, if necessary.
It is also helpful to have receipts for purchases you may have made due to the accident, as well as contact information for witnesses on the scene. The more information you bring to your initial consultation, the less time you’ll have to spend obtaining necessary records for your attorney.
Should I Consider a Case Settlement?
A settlement is an agreement between you and the liable party that reaches an agreement without going to court. Settlements can be helpful because, while the process can take a while, they generally take much less time than going through a full trial. Trials also cost additional money the longer they go on.
However, settling too early in the process can be dangerous. Many offers for settlement provide much less compensation than a trial could award, and very early settlement agreements may not cover all your financial needs. Consult with your injury attorney to determine an acceptable settlement amount.
Key Items to Keep in Mind While Filing a Claim
No matter if you go to court, or agree to a settlement, being mindful of your situation can help eliminate any potential snags in the process. While your case is in process it is best to:
- Keep your lawyer up-to-date with any bills and documents related to your claim.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions to ensure proper recovery and avoid lessened compensation rewards.
- Know just what sort of outcome you are aiming for with your claim, be it financial, work-based, or time-based.
- You should neither exaggerate nor underplay your injuries, especially on social media.
The personal injury claims process can be time-consuming, but there are still ways to quicken the process. Consulting an attorney at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP for your personal injury case can help you reach a timely outcome with the compensation you deserve. Contact their Los Angeles office for a Free Consultation about your case today! (310) 477-1700