How to win your personal injury claim

Description

After your injury: Settle your claim the right way When you’ve been hurt in an accident, dealing with insurance companies and lawyers can feel exhausting. But armed with the right information, you can handle a claim yourself―and save many thousands of dollars in the process. How to Win Your Personal Injury Claim shows you how to handle almost any accident situation and guides you through the insurance claim process, step by step. Learn how to: protect your rights after an accident determine what your claim is worth deal with uncooperative doctors and insurance companies counter the special tactics insurance companies use prepare a claim for compensation negotiate a full and fair settlement stay on top of your case if you hire a lawyer This completely updated edition of How to Win Your Personal Injury Claim provides your state’s most recent laws, including small claims court limits and lawsuit filing deadlines Content: Handling your personal injury claim. Why you often can handle your own claim When you might need a lawyer -- Whose fault is it? : how legal responsibility is determined. Basic rules of legal responsibility Liability in specific types of accidents -- Initial steps in settling your claim. The first 72 hours : protecting your rights Getting a claim started Special rules for accidents involving the government -- Understanding insurance coverage. Motor vehicle insurance Nonvehicle liability insurance Your own health coverage and accident claims No-fault laws : state summaries -- How much is your claim for injuries worth? The damages formula How injuries affect compensation Demonstrating pain and suffering Lost income Property damage Arriving at a final compensation value Examples of how much different claims are worth -- Processing your claim. Collecting information Preparing a demand letter Sample demand letters -- Property damage claims. What type of claim to file Amount of compensation Processing your claim Negotiating a settlement amount -- Negotiating a settlement. Adjusters : who they are and how they work How the negotiation process works Conducting negotiations The subjects of negotiations with an adjuster What to do when you can't get a settlement State statutes of limitations -- Finalizing your settlement. Confirming the offer and acceptance Formal settlement document What to do if the check doesn't arrive Liens on your settlement money Taxes on your settlement money -- The last resorts : lawyers, arbitration, and courts. Small claims court Arbitration -- Working with a lawyer. Reasons to use a lawyer Finding the right lawyer Paying the lawyer Managing your lawyer Trial -- Appendix. Accident claim worksheet.