Our Skilled Injury Lawyers Discuss Six Simple Steps to Help Preserve Your Legal Rights After an Accident Injury
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, truck crash, pedestrian accident, or from a dog bite, you have the right to compensation from the negligent party. However, holding those accountable can be a challenge, and submitting a personal injury claim for damages can be a difficult process. But taking the right steps can help protect your right to a fair settlement. 
The experienced Elizabethtown personal injury attorneys at Skeeters, Bennett, Wilson & Humphrey have helped hundreds of clients pursue compensation when they’ve been hurt. Here, we discuss six important steps to take that will help you obtain fair recovery for damages suffered in your personal injury case.
When You Most Need to Protect Your Legal Rights
When you suffer injuries due to someone else’s negligence, you may want to seek compensation through a civil legal claim. The legal process offers you the chance to pursue monetary damages for physical and financial hardships. This is typically the case in situations that involve the following factors:
- An accident you didn’t cause
- An injury significant enough to affect your quality of life
- Negligence was the cause of the accident
The Risks to Your Legal Rights
One reason you need to take the right steps to protect your legal rights is that several factors can put your claim at risk. The statute of limitations presents one of those risks. This law establishes a time limit on your ability to file a claim. In Kentucky, personal injury claims are generally subject to a one-year time limit under state law (Kentucky Revised Statutes Section 413.140). Claims involving car accident injuries generally have a two-year time limit under Kentucky Revised Statutes Section 304.39-230. Some exceptions to these deadlines exist. If you miss these legal deadlines, you could lose your right to file a claim.
Failing to file your lawsuit by the deadline isn’t the only risk to your rights. Other common mistakes that can jeopardize your claim include the following:
- Delaying getting medical care or professional legal advice
- Providing more information than necessary to insurance companies (including your own)
- Accepting a quick settlement without making sure it fully compensates you
These risks could keep you from securing the compensation you need. Taking the right steps can help put you on the path to pursuing the monetary damages you deserve.
Six Essential Steps to Protect Your Rights After an Accident
1. Report the Incident
To prove that an accident occurred, you need to report it to the proper authorities. Car crash victims, for example, should generally report the crash to the police. For an accident on a commercial or residential property, like a fall or dog bite, you typically report it to the property owner.
2. Document the Accident by Gathering Evidence
To have a successful claim, you need to gather evidence that can help prove the defendant's negligence. If you’re able to move around, take photos of the scene, weather and road conditions, and all visible injuries.
3. Get Insurance Information
You can’t pursue a claim without the insurance information of the party you’re seeking to hold accountable. After a motor vehicle accident, exchange insurance information with the other driver. In other types of accidents, ask the property owner or company to provide their insurance details.
4. Seek Medical Care
Getting prompt medical care after an injury gives you the best chance of making the most complete physical recovery possible. Make sure you attend all follow-up appointments and complete your treatment plan.
5. Document Your Losses
Your compensation is intended to address your damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Keep records of all medical treatment, missed work, and limitations resulting from your injuries. These records document your losses and support your claim.
6. Contact Skeeters, Bennett, Wilson & Humphrey as Soon as Possible
Your claim for compensation is a legal matter. You should have professional legal counsel guiding you through the process. Hire a personal injury lawyer immediately to handle all aspects of your claim.
How Skeeters, Bennett, Wilson & Humphrey Help Preserve Their Clients’ Rights
Protecting victims’ rights is part of our commitment to our clients. The actions we can take to uphold your rights and seek fair compensation for you include the following:
- Sending a spoliation letter to keep defendants from discarding evidence
- Representing clients’ interests in communicating with insurance companies for the at-fault party and negotiating with them on your behalf
- Meeting all deadlines and procedural requirements to move your claim forward
Throughout your claim, you can count on Skeeters, Bennett, Wilson & Humphrey to provide support, guidance, and common sense advice. We’re here to help clients pursue fair compensation for injuries they suffered because of someone else's negligence.
