If you are injured in an accident caused by another party’s negligence, you are entitled to seek compensation for your damages through a personal injury claim. Seeking compensation through a personal injury claim can be a confusing, complicated process. That is why you are advised to work with a personal injury lawyer who can represent your claim and advise you through each step of the process.
If you are injured in an accident, your primary goal should be to make a full recovery. Always put your health and safety first; do not avoid seeking treatment because you are concerned about its cost. A personal injury claim is not a “get rich quick” scheme, it is a means to recover the money you lose through the expenses associated with your injury.
When Does a Doctor Get Involved?
You should seek medical attention as soon as possible after your accident. If you need emergency medical care, call 911 immediately following the accident. Otherwise, seek medical care within a few days of the accident.
A doctor might also serve as an expert witness for your claim. An expert witness is an individual whose professional expertise enables him or her to discuss an injury, how it occurred, and its prognosis without having been a first-hand witness to the accident.
What Types of Compensation Can I Seek Through a Personal Injury Claim?
An injury victim can seek compensation for the following damages:
- Medical expenses, such as medical bills, hospitalization, and prescription drugs;
- Lost wages due to spending time out of work to recover. This can also include compensation for bonuses and promotion opportunities lost because of the injury; and
- Pain and suffering expenses. This category covers all expenses that do not fit into either of the others, such as the expenses associated with permanent disfigurement, the need for in-home domestic help, and the cost of psychological counseling to overcome the emotional trauma of an accident.
Critical Reminders for Any Personal Injury Claim
- In New York, the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is three years from the date of the accident;
- For medical malpractice claims, the statute of limitations is two years and six months from the date of the malpractice or from the end of the patient’s ongoing care with the negligent doctor;
- When a victim dies as a result of an accident, his or her loved ones may seek compensation for their damages through a wrongful death claim. The statute of limitations for these is two years from the victim’s death; and
- Personal injury claims can be sought following many different types of accident, such as car accidents, dog bites, slips and falls, and injuries sustained on public transportation.
Work with an Experienced New York Personal Injury Law Firm
If you are facing substantial damages as the result of your injury caused by another party’s negligence, you should consider seeking compensation for those damages through a personal injury claim. To learn more about seeking compensation this way, schedule your initial consultation with our team of personal injury lawyers at Grant & Longworth, Attorneys at Law.
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