Accidents happen. When you’re the victim of a personal injury, whether it be from an automobile accident, a slip and fall, or any of the other myriad events that could put you in the hospital, you deserve compensation for your injuries. Even when the action that caused harm was not criminal or intended to hurt you, you have the right to speak to a personal injury attorney in Cheyenne, WY and get what you deserve. Here’s how to do it.
1. Act Fast
Even though Wyoming has a generous statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits, allowing you to file within four years of the injury, you should try to act much faster. The sooner you file your suit, the more likely you are to get a settlement. Fair or not, this is largely because of how juries perceive personal injury cases. Someone who waits several years to file may seem to be out for money instead of a genuine plaintiff in pain.
Conversely, someone who files right away and appears in court shortly after their injuries makes a much more convincing case. Nevertheless, if time has passed since your injury, a good attorney can still make a strong case for you, so don’t assume your case is too old to bear fruit. However, acting early makes it easier to build a strong case, especially when we consider documentation.
2. Document Everything
To win a lawsuit, you have to be prepared to prove the extent of your injuries and that they weren’t your fault. You’ll need to document as much of the event as possible, including actions leading up to the injury and those taken immediately after. Getting this evidence is much easier when you act quickly. For example, if you slip and fall at a restaurant, security cameras may only keep footage for a few days at best. Get that immediately.
Likewise, you may want to bring others’ testimony to court to support your case. If you can reach out to people right away, they can write their testimony or record it for future use. However, speaking to those people a year later is unlikely to result in a reliable record, as memories fade and will be questioned in court. Needless to say, keep track of bills to substantiate the extent of your damages.
3. Be Patient
Perhaps the hardest part is patience. In most personal injury cases, the defendant’s insurance company will try to settle with you out of court. They may even negotiate with your insurance providers directly. The initial offer can be very enticing, but know that it’s almost always underpaying you.
The legal system moves more slowly, but filing a lawsuit gives you leverage in negotiations. Most personal injury cases are settled out of court, but the most successful ones still file a suit.
4. Speak to a Personal Injury Attorney
An attorney gives credence to your case and can help you go the distance in your fight to get fair compensation. It’s one of the smartest things you can do if you intend to get the best settlement possible.
So, the sooner you act, the better your odds of getting a settlement. Gather as much information related to your case as possible, and don’t take the first offer given to you. With a lawyer by your side, you’ll be able to rest assured that you’ll get the best result.
