If you have suffered injury due to the negligence of another person or party, a personal injury lawsuit may be your best course of action.

The steps you take from the accident forward can greatly impact the success of your case and the amount of money you can recover.

The purpose of this article is to prepare you for your case. However, let’s first review when it is appropriate to call a Sarasota personal injury attorney.

Call a Personal Injury Attorney When:

Your injuries are severe. If your injuries are so serious that you are approaching the coverage limit of the at-fault insurance policy, you may need more assistance to get the compensation due to you.
You have sustained long-term or permanently disabling injuries. It can be difficult to ascertain both the ongoing medical costs and the effect on your future earning potential. The insurance company may wish to settle quickly and for less than you deserve.
The case is complicated. If there are multiple parties involved in the incident, or causality is not clear, you will want to have an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side to help sort it all out.
You are wary of the insurance company’s intent: If you suspect that the insurance company is trying to rush you to a decision, or is not operating in good faith – call a lawyer. The insurance company is well-versed in these situations and can be intimidating. An attorney can take over all negotiations on your behalf.

Preparing for your Case

If possible, your information gathering for your personal injury lawsuit should begin at the scene of the accident. We understand that the extent of your injuries may preclude you from collecting this information.

Collect witness contact information. Contact information (names, phone numbers, emails) from first-hand witnesses is important, as their testimony can later help to prove your case. If you cannot speak to them personally, try to enlist the help of others on site.
Take photos of the accident scene. Be as detailed as possible, including the accident itself, and any other details that may be relevant to how you were injured.
Stay Off Social Media. Although you may be tempted to share your experience with friends and family, the insurance company can use smiling photos or careless phrasing against you.
Go see a doctor as soon as possible. Although you legally have time to get a medical report, you will want to get your reports and prognosis quickly, so that your case has the maximum time to play out.
Follow the doctor’s orders. Failing to abide by the doctor’s orders may allow the at-fault party or insurance company to question the validity of your medical claim.
Keep track of all pertinent information. Log your medical appointments, including doctor names and specialties, appointment dates, prescriptions and orders, reports, x-rays, etc.
Keep a file of all the paperwork and documentation related to your accident. Include police reports, medical bills and receipts (even if covered by insurance), and related expenses such as car rental or repair.
Consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Contact someone like Smyrna Personal injury lawyer for legal advice. The sooner we begin working on your case, the greater chance of success you will have. When you call we will advise if we believe you need our assistance, and will schedule a consultation. Bring all above information with you to your initial meeting.

It is strongly recommended that you speak to a personal injury lawyer prior to contacting the insurance company.
While the claims adjuster may seem sympathetic and helpful, they are motivated to convince you to settle quickly, and for as little as possible.

In fact, they are listening for information that may work against you in your claim. An experienced personal injury lawyer will speak to the insurance company on your behalf right from the beginning, making them your best ally in this process.

Getting injured is traumatic – and the process to recover your settlement can be confusing. But by hiring the personal injury attorneys of Probinsky & Cole, you can have peace of mind, knowing that you are enlisting the professional help you need at this difficult time.