How Will My Claim Be Processed?

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How Will My Claim Be Processed?

If the person who caused your injury has insurance, an insurance adjuster will gather the pertinent records including medical records, medical bills, wage loss verification and the like in an effort to verify your damages. The insurance company may make you an offer to settle the claim. You may find the offer acceptable and once you accept it, the claim process is over. If you do not receive an acceptable offer, you can proceed with filing a lawsuit.

You should be sure not to sign any documents without prior review by an attorney. You need to attend all scheduled doctor appointments in order to document your injuries. Accurate records should be kept of time you missed from work, medical bills, and property damage repairs. You can document your damages with photographs of your injuries or photos of property damage.

After a lawsuit has been filed, both parties will conduct discovery. Pretrial discovery usually takes about a full year during which time both parties investigate all aspects of the claim. This may include taking oral depositions, obtaining pertinent records, propounding interrogatories, and hiring expert witnesses to obtain more evidence about the claim. During this period of discovery and as the trial date approaches, the parties will exchange settlement offers/demands. A large majority of personal injury claims settle before trial. If you agree to accept a settlement, you will be required to sign an agreement stating you absolve the other party of all further liability in this case.

Other Alabama Personal Injury FAQs

Q: I Was Injured. What Can I Do Now?
A: If your injury was a result of someone else's negligence, you can take that person to court and you may be awarded money to cover your losses. Alabama is a … More
Q: Who Is Responsible When A Person Is Injured?
A: The law of personal injury is concerned with determining who may be responsible for your injuries and how much they should be required to pay for your damages. … More
Q: How Do I Decide If I Need To Hire An Attorney?
A: There are situations where an attorney is unnecessary, such as very small cases. Small claims court in Alabama will handle claims up to $3000. If your injury is a … More
Q: How Much Will An Attorney Cost?
A: An attorney who believes a case has merit will take the case without payment up front. They will take the case on a contingency basis, which means they will receive a … More
Q: How Long Do I Have To Hire An Attorney?
A: The law requires that you file a lawsuit within a specified period of time depending on the nature of the claim and the entity that caused your injury. This is … More
Q: What Damages Can I Recover?
A: You can recover your actual damages, which are your actual losses such as medical expenses and wage loss. The law allows compensation for future medical and care … More
Q: How Can I Determine How Much My Claim Is Worth?
A: If someone is liable and negligent and they are capable of paying the damages, then you need to determine what your losses are. In the case of medical expenses, you … More