Depending on the amount of compensation you are looking to receive and the type of accident you have been involved in, settlement negotiations can be confusing, disheartening, and mentally grueling. Regardless, the basic process to consider when asking yourself, “how can I negotiate pain and suffering without a lawyer?” should involve the following steps:
- Documenting your losses
- Calculating the economic and non-economic value of your pain and suffering
- Gathering evidence to prove liability
- Determining aspects to include in your demands
- Sending a demand letter to the offender’s insurance provider
- And more
The demand letter should detail why the insurer should be held liable for your personal injuries, the extent of your suffering, the economic losses you have faced, and other various hardships you have endured since the accident.
While many victims choose to negotiate smaller claims without the aid of personal injury attorneys, most of these cases typically involve minor injuries and losses. Additionally, you can file a personal injury lawsuit on your own, but many lawsuits will force you into a complicated world of legal proceedings.
If you feel overwhelmed at any point, just remember that a personal injury lawyer may be able to help ease your burden. Injury attorneys can provide accident victims with legal guidance, investigative assistance, negotiation services, representation during civil litigation, and more. You are more likely to have a better result using an attorney rather than attempting to represent yourself.
Steps to Take Following an Accident in which You Suffered Personal Injuries
The most important thing to do after an accident is to document the circumstances surrounding the event. That means taking pictures and video of the accident scene, as well as documenting any damage to your body or property. Ultimately, you should try to gather as much evidence as possible without putting yourself in harm’s way or depriving yourself from medical care.
Further, consider doing the following in the aftermath of your accident:
- Above all else, seek immediate medical attention. Undergoing an examination by an accredited physician will not only allow you to receive proper treatment, the ensuing paperwork can also serve as important documentation of your injuries, diagnosis, and medical outlook.
- When receiving medical treatment of any kind related to your pain and suffering, remember to carefully catalog your receipts, bills, and hospital records.
- Obtain a copy of the police report for any case involving a motor vehicle accident, criminal act, or extreme display of endangerment.
- If possible, avoid speaking to the other party’s insurance provider in any capacity while you are recovering. If you provide them with a statement, they may use your words to cast doubt on the severity of your pain and suffering.
- Keep track of the statute of limitations on your personal injury claim.
For a free legal consultation, call 317-636-7777
Your Time to File a Personal Injury Case is Limited According to Statutes of Limitations
In the state of Indiana, the statute of limitations on your claim may range from six months to several years depending on the type of case you are filing and the specific entity you are making a claim against.
In accordance with Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4, most personal injury cases are governed by a two-year statute of limitations.
As detailed under Indiana Code § 34-13-3-5, if you decide to file a lawsuit against a local government organization, including cities and counties, you will have 180 days to file a claim. Regarding cases brought against the state of Indiana, Indiana Code § 34-13-3-6 states that you have to file notice with the attorney general or state agency within 270 days of the accident.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm to Learn More About Negotiating Pain and Suffering Compensation
We understand why you may be asking yourself, “how can I negotiate pain and suffering without a lawyer?” At the end of the day, our personal injury attorneys want victims to feel as comfortable as possible during their legal proceedings.
However, if you feel like you may have more to lose than you thought, our personal injury law firm can be there to help you navigate the Indiana legal system. While many cases simply involve insurance claims, our attorneys will happily take your case to trial to fight for your right to compensation.
To better serve you, we have locations in Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Greenwood, Evansville, Jeffersonville, and Noblesville.
After representing thousands of victims over the years, we know injury cases can take many forms. That is why our attorneys practice in numerous areas of personal injury law, including:
- Defective products
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Premises liability
- Construction site injuries
- Dog bite cases
- Child injuries
- Bicycle and pedestrian accidents
- Traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries
- Wrongful death
- And more
To learn more about our legal services, a representative at Sevenish Law Firm, P.C. would love to offer you a free consultation today. Contact our team at (317) 743-7971 to get started.
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