The initial reaction to an accident that leaves you injured may be shock. After all, nobody can plan for this kind of thing, so people are often completely unprepared to deal with filing a claim or with any of the other after-injury fallout. The good news: the state of Arizona has personal injury laws that are designed to aggressively protect the rights of the victim when it comes to making accident claims. The bad news: most people don't know how to file a claim properly, or how to take full advantage of these laws. Working with a personal injury attorney is always the best way to get fully compensated in your injury claim, but knowing more about what to expect can help both you and your lawyer to get the best results. Read on to learn what you can expect in a personal injury case in the state of Arizona.
Starting a Claim
After an injury, it is important that you immediately begin working on the claim with your attorney. The claim won't generally be officially filed until you have completed all medical treatment necessary for the injury. This allows time for all the costs related to the injury to be revealed.
However, your attorney can do preliminary work on the claim while you're being treated. This work usually includes:
- Keeping track of all medical costs
- Keeping track of all treatments
- Documenting all time missed from work
- Documenting all financial and non-financial losses that you suffer due to the injury
Be sure to provide your attorney with any documentation that they request, and keep them updated on your medical treatments at all times. The claim can be filed immediately after you get a medical release from your doctor (usually, this is the time when you return to your job at full capacity following the accident).
The Statute of Limitations
It is important that the claim is done in a timely manner because the state of Arizona imposes a two year statute of limitations on personal injury claims. The claim must be filed within two years from the date of the accident or you lose all rights to file a claim related to the accident.
The Negotiation Process
Most personal injury cases end in a settlement, so it is rare for a case to actually make it to court. The person responsible for your injury will typically be represented by their insurance company, and that insurance company is eager to make an out-of-court settlement rather than incurring the considerable costs involved in a court case.
Your lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, but they won't accept an offer without your approval. The process may take some time, but the aggressive negotiation skills of a good personal injury attorney give you a big advantage. The state of Arizona sets no limits on the amount of money that can be awarded in a personal injury case, so the odds of ending up with a nice settlement are very good. Contact a company like McDonald Law Offices for more information.
