What Is a Personal Injury Claim?
Sometimes an accident is just an accident. Other times, an accident may have been caused by the negligence or carelessness of another person. Either type of accident can be traumatic when you are the person left injured, perhaps unable to work, and with a mountain of medical bills, you are unsure how you will pay.
When you suffer harm due to an injury caused by another person’s negligence, that person could be legally responsible for the costs associated with your injuries. These could include your medical expenses, lost and future wages, and pain and suffering. Pain and suffering damages encompass physical pain, emotional pain, and trauma.
A personal injury case begins when your injury attorney begins the personal injury claim process by negotiating with the at-fault person’s insurance company on your behalf. If the insurer is unwilling to pay what your claim is worth, your attorney can file a lawsuit against the insurer.
The vast majority of personal injury claims are settled outside a courtroom, either through initial negotiations or after the lawsuit is filed but before the jury reaches a verdict. While you could handle your personal injury claim, it is never a good idea. Your attorney will be familiar with every step of the personal injury claim process and will guide you through the process.
Every state has what is known as a statute of limitations for a civil lawsuit. It varies from state to state. They usually go from one year to twelve years. The statute of limitations for initiating the personal injury claim process in Alaska is two years from the date of the accident.
How Does the Personal Injury Claim Process Work?
The personal injury claim process can be complicated and time-consuming without an experienced personal injury attorney by your side. Once you’ve hired a strong personal injury attorney from Ringstad Law Office, the following steps will take place:
- Liability will be definitively determined. If there is any question regarding who was responsible for your accident, your attorney will investigate the accident to show liability clearly.
- Your attorney will gather all the evidence pertaining to your accident, including a police report, photographs of the scene of the accident, and witness statements.
- Assessing your injuries will be a vital part of your personal injury claim. Your personal injury attorney will need to know exactly how much you’ve already spent on your injuries and what medical treatments you will need in the future to calculate an accurate amount.
- Your attorney will negotiate a full and fair settlement with the at-fault party’s insurer.
- If no settlement can be reached, the matter will be set for trial.
- Whether through a settlement agreement or a jury decision, you will receive your compensation for the accident.
How Long Does it Take to Receive Your Settlement Check From a Personal Injury Claim?
While the amount of time it takes to receive your settlement check can vary significantly, depending on the circumstances of your claim, you will generally receive your payment within about six weeks from the time you have agreed to a settlement offer. If your case goes to trial and a jury determines how much you are entitled to receive, you should receive the check within four to eight weeks. You will receive a lump sum payment after your attorney has taken out their contingency fee. In other cases, you may receive your payments through a structured settlement where you receive a certain amount every month or each year until it is paid in full.
How Can Ringstad Law Office Help With Your Personal Injury Claim Process?
The personal injury claim process can be complex, especially for those who have yet to experience the process. Having a knowledgeable Fairbanks personal injury attorney to guide you through the personal injury claim process in Alaska can truly make a difference in whether you receive a full and fair settlement and how quickly you receive the settlement. At Ringstad Law Office, P.C., our practice was built solely around personal injury law.
Because that’s what we do daily, we are exceptionally good at ensuring our clients get the settlement they deserve. We aggressively defend our clients while holding ourselves to the highest standards. The goal of every insurance company is to pay out as little as possible—this can make it challenging to get a settlement that fully covers your damages. At Ringstad Law Office, P.C., we will be by your side every step, using our 35 years of experience to build a solid claim on your behalf. Contact Ringstad Law Office, P.C., today.