What Happens in a Personal Injury Claim?

Here is an overview on what you can expect while pursuing compensation for accident injuries.

Personal injury claims involve a wide range of accidents. They include automobile accidents, slip and falls, and much more. The common thread in all personal injury claims is that a person sustained an injury due to the negligent, reckless, or intentional acts of someone else. The law provides a mechanism for those injury victims to seek monetary compensation for the harm they have suffered at the hands of another. Through a personal injury claim, accident victims are able to recover much needed financial compensation for things such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The personal injury claims process may seem overwhelming, particularly to those still trying to cope with injuries suffered. That is why the dedicated team at Fazli & Associates is committed to helping our injured clients in any way we can. We fight for their right to full and fair compensation for their injuries so that they can focus on what is most important, taking care of themselves in this difficult time.

What are the Steps Involved in a Personal Injury Case?

While personal injury claims may take many forms, the basic stages of a typical injury case remain fairly consistent. The first priority after any accident is always to seek medical treatment for injuries sustained. Go and get checked out even if you do not feel that hurt.

Accident injuries can be subtle, even sneaky. You may not realize the full extent of your injuries until several days later. Immediate medical care will not only strengthen your personal injury claim, it will help you on a faster road to recovery. An investigation into the accident will also be launched. This will include gathering any accident reports. It will also involve getting access to things like security camera footage of the accident as well as locating witnesses and taking statements.

If you have chosen to be represented by an attorney, your legal counsel should be in the process of gathering your medical records and evidence about the accident to prepare a demand letter. The demand letter will be an offer of settlement to the insurance company of the at-fault person. It will set forth your damages, such as your medical expenses, lost wages, and the projected cost of future medical care. Based on these numbers, a settlement offer will be extended in an effort to avoid the time and expense of going to court. The demand letter will kick off negotiations with the insurance company. If an agreement cannot be reached, it is likely that a lawsuit will be filed.

To file suit, the complaint will be filed with the court and served on the opposing party or parties. The complaint is an overview of your case. It sets for the parties involved, the plaintiff’s (you) claims, and a demand for damages to be paid as compensation for the harm you have suffered. The defendant will submit an answer to the complaint. The next step is discovery. Discovery is an important and often lengthy process. Both sides of the lawsuit use

the discovery process to collect as much information relating to the lawsuit as possible. This will include things such as document production and depositions.

Oftentimes, parties to a personal injury lawsuit are sent to mediation prior to trial in a last effort to resolve the claim before full-blown litigation is necessary. All parties and their attorneys attend the mediation which is moderated by a neutral third party referred to as the “mediator.” Both sides are given the opportunity to present their cases and discuss what needs to happen for a settlement to occur. Should mediation fail to successfully encourage a mutually agreeable resolution to the personal injury, the claim will go to trial.

Advocating For You Every Step of the Personal Injury Process.

Personal injury claims can be complex and involved. Insurance companies will do whatever it takes to undermine the value of your claim or avoid paying it altogether. Fazli & Associates stands up to big insurance companies to zealously advocate on behalf of our clients. If you have been injured in an accident, whether it be a car accident, slip and fall, or something else, we are here for you. Contact us today.

Staying Safe on the Road this Summer

Summer vacation is on its way and that means more traffic than usual. Keep your family protected during the busy season!

The summer months are upon us. It is time to enjoy the warm weather, go on family vacations, and hit the open road for some adventures. Summer is truly a memorable time for so many of us. Make sure to keep those good memories coming by taking extra precautions when driving. Summer is, in fact, one of the most dangerous times of year for drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations reports that there are more car crashes and auto-related injuries in July and August, particularly. Here are some tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe this summer.

Why is Summer a More Dangerous Time to Drive?

One of the biggest reasons why summer is a more dangerous time for drivers is vacation traffic. Summer has become synonymous with vacation. The kids are out of school and people are taking off of work for those family trips. This means an exponential increase in traffic. More cars mean more chances for accidents to occur. Additionally, there are more teenaged, inexperienced drivers out there. Increases in traffic and drivers who are less experienced and, generally speaking, more distracted, means that you have to be more diligent than ever when you are driving during this time.

Summer also means it is construction season. With the thawing of roads after taking a winter beating, construction zones are set up in full force to make necessary and long awaited repairs. Construction zones bring with them things like delays, detours taking you down unfamiliar paths, and traffic jams. These all set the stage for drivers not paying attention or being extra aggressive as they fight to reduce delays caused by the construction zone. Be sure to slow down in construction zones. Merge as early as possible before entering the work zone. In order to reduce the frustration associated with delays, try and leave earlier. Leave some extra time in your schedule to anticipate for these delays.

In addition to an increase in traffic and construction zones, you also have to do battle with the elements in summer. The heat can have a serious impact on your vehicle performance. In particular, driver blowouts are a danger during the summer. Hot air means your tires will expand making them much more susceptible to blowouts. Tire blowouts can have devastating consequences and have been known to cause serious accidents. Be sure to check your tire pressure frequently during the summer months. Keep a spare tire in your car and check its tire pressure frequently as well.

On top of the heat, we all know that summer months mean heavier rain falls and flooding. Rainy road conditions mean less tire traction and limited visibility. Vehicles can lose control on wet roads, leading to fishtailing and hydroplaning. Keep your windshield wipers in tip top shape as they are critical for clearing water to maximize visibility in otherwise compromising conditions. Getting new ones for the summer is a good idea. Additionally, reduce your speed when it rains and turn on your lights to help ensure that other vehicles on the road can see you.

We’re here for you in the summer and all year long.

Getting injured in a car accident can upset fun summer plans like few other things can. Fazli & Associates is here to get you back on track. Let us take on the legal burden of fighting for your right to full and fair compensations so you can focus on your health, well-being, and loved ones. Contact us today.

Will Covid-19 Impact My Personal Injury Claim?

With so many big changes going on, accident victims may be wondering how this will affect seeking compensation for their losses.

The Coronavirus has impacted our lives in far reaching ways. It seems as though every aspect of our everyday lives has been upended. Amidst all of this uncertainty, there are still those that were injured prior to stay at home orders or during stay at home orders left wondering how the current state of affairs will impact their personal injury claim. These individuals should know, first and foremost, that their right to seek compensation for harm suffered due to the negligence of another remains in place. No one should hesitate to take the steps needed to enforce these rights, even in the midst of a pandemic. Personal injury claims allow accident injury victims to recover critical compensation to cover things such as medical expenses and lost wages. The statute of limitations clock still moves forward even when it feels like life as we know it has come to a standstill. Get in touch with Fazli & Associates today to discuss your injury claim.

Will the Insurance Company Still Process My Claim?

Yes, the insurance company will still process your injury claim. It may take longer for your claim to process than it would have in the past. Insurance companies may have reduced staff numbers. They are likely to have more people working from home at a reduced capacity. Not only will it likely take more time for your claim to process, but it may also take more time to get a reasonable settlement offer from the insurance company. With court closures and courts only hearing emergency cases, insurance companies may not have the same motivation to settle a claim. In many cases, the threat of filing a lawsuit and being sent to court will push an insurance company to settlement in order to avoid litigation. With so many cases being delayed, there may not be this same sense of immediacy for the insurers.

Additionally, there is the possibility that settlement offers may be lower than they have in the past. While insurance companies have always been about their bottom line, the current economic climate will likely be placing an added strain on company finances. Some insurers may be making more lowball offers than usual. With insurers looking only to become stricter on paying out on claims, you need dedicated legal counsel by your side now more than ever.

Should I Still Seek Medical Treatment for My Injuries?

This is a very important question. Simply put, yes, you should absolutely continue to seek medical treatment for your accident injuries. It is understandable to be hesitant and look to avoid medical facilities in the time of Covid-19, but avoiding medical treatment can also have a serious impact on your health and well-being. Without the proper medical attention, you run the risks associated with untreated accident injuries. Do not jeopardize your health in an attempt to avoid medical facilities.

In addition to your health, medical treatment is a critical part of your personal injury claim. Medical records are some of the most important evidence in your claim. Without medical records substantiating your injuries, an insurer is unlikely to take your claim serious. Failure to receive medical treatment will not all jeopardize the value of your claim, but will jeopardize your claim in its entirety. Lack of medical evidence is a prime reason for an insurance company to undervalue your claim or deny it completely. They will not take fear of Covid-19 as an excuse for failure to receive medical treatment.

In times of uncertainty, we remain here to fight for you.

These are unprecedented times. Fear and anxiety seem to hang in the air. Know that Fazli & Associates remains committed to fighting for accident injury victims. We are steadfast in pursuing your legal rights as we stand up to the big insurance companies. Contact ustoday.