When you have been involved in an accident, the first thing you want to do is seek the assistance of a personal injury attorney. There are a number of factors to consider, from whether you should file a lawsuit or an insurance claim to what medical reports and other documents you should submit to support your case. You’ll also want to understand how to calculate non-economic damages, which are damages that don’t have a specific dollar amount.
Medical reports
For personal injury lawyers, medical records are a key part of the litigation process. These files can serve as hard evidence to substantiate a claim, and they can help determine a fair settlement amount.
A well-organized medical file provides a detailed view of the patient’s medical history. It includes the doctor’s orders, tests, prescriptions and bills.
An accurate analysis of a medical record can reveal the best way to treat a particular injury. It can also tell you whether a doctor exercised reasonable care. It may even reveal a pre-existing condition that has been aggravated by a recent injury.
An organized file is also more efficient in terms of legal document management. This means it will save you time and money.
Interrogatories and depositions
Interrogatories and depositions are important parts of the discovery phase in a personal injury lawsuit. It allows you to gather information about your opponent, which will help you prepare for your trial. If you fail to respond to an interrogatory, you could face a fine or jail time.
An interrogatory is a written request from one party to another for information about the case. An answer to an interrogatory can be used as evidence during the trial.
The questions asked on an interrogatory should be relevant to the injury and the accident. An injury claim may be submitted to the court if the person is able to show that they were hurt as a result of negligence by the defendant. Generally, an interrogatory will ask the plaintiff for certain information, including a detailed description of the event.
Calculating non-economic damages
The most common type of non-economic damages is pain and suffering. These can include bodily injury, psychological harm, and a diminished quality of life.
There are several ways to calculate these types of damages. A multiplier method is the most commonly used.
In the multiplier method, the value of the non-economic damage is multiplied by a number that is based on the severity of the injury. This number is usually between one and five. The larger the injury, the higher the multiplier. The multiplier can be adjusted depending on the plaintiff’s level of pain, the defendant’s fault, and the duration of the injury.
A per diem method is another popular way of calculating the value of non-economic damages. This method is straightforward according to all personal injury lawyers in St George, UT. The value of a day of pain and suffering is calculated by multiplying the daily rate by the number of days between the injury and the time of maximum medical improvement.
Whether to file a lawsuit or an insurance claim
If you have been injured in a car accident, you may be wondering what steps to take next. The first step is to file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company.
Depending on the extent of your injuries and damages, you can receive more than the amount the insurance company offers you. You may also want to consult with an attorney to help you decide on the best legal strategy.
Most people who have been injured in an accident attempt to recover compensation through the claims process. This is less expensive than filing a lawsuit, and can be a great way to recover for injuries that are not too serious. However, some cases are better settled through a lawsuit.
