Personal injury claims in Glasgow are submitted with the intention of receiving settlement money, which can then be used for medical treatments, psychological treatment, as well as other financial or physical issues that are associated with the injury. The amount is typically provided to compensate for the financial and psychological burdens.
Personal injury claims are only valid if you provide tangible evidence that shows that the injury was caused due to the negligence of a third party. If you are thinking about making a personal injury claim, be sure to avoid the ensuing mistakes.
Mistake # 1 The concern of appearing in front of a jury
Most people have a strong perception that personal injury cases are presented in front of a judge and a jury. The fear of pleading thier case gets in the way of them taking actions to submit a claim. On the contrary, when you make a personal injury claim, it is very rare that the case will end up going to trial. In fact, 99% of all personal injury claims are resolved before they reach that stage. Additionally, one per cent of the cases that do end up going to trial are high priority insurance claims. These cases are presented in front of a judge, in the absence of a jury.
Mistake # 2 Hiring a service that does not offer a CFA
Another common mistake that most people make is paying the personal injury lawyer, before, during and after the settlement is paid. However, there are numerous firms that operate by providing a CFA or the No Win No Fee policy. The CFA encourages you to make a claim, without having to pay the solicitor until you end up with the settlement money. The CFA is a contract that is signed before your case progresses. You can hire a lawyer who offers their service under this agreement, so you can make the claim without worrying about losing any money throughout the process.
Mistake # 3 Not asking the right questions
One more popular mistake, which most individuals make, is not asking the right questions. Before selecting a personal injury lawyer to represent you, it is imperative to schedule a meeting and make inquiries about their qualifications, number of wins, as well as their experience in the industry. You can create a list of questions to ask the personal injury lawyer before you meet them for a consultation session. Moreover, once the lawyer is selected, you must ask them about every detail of the case, so you can remain informed throughout the process. Most clients often forget that asking questions is their right. When you make inquiries, you can often stumble upon areas that can help you win the case.
Mistake # 4 Failing to capture key evidence
Several personal injury cases experience a loss, especially when the client fails to gather relevant evidence at the time of the injury. When you experience an injury that is caused by someone else, you must immediately get checked into a hospital and obtain medical records to support your claim. Additionally, if the injury was violent or intentional in nature, you can also submit a police report to strengthen the case. In the case that you suffered from psychological trauma after the injury, it is essential to keep your personal injury lawyer in the loop. This way, your settlement amount can cover the cost of taking therapy from a mental health professional.
Mistake # 5 Hiring an unprofessional lawyer
A lawyer can make or break your case. Therefore, it is essential to carry out an in-depth investigation before selecting a lawyer to represent you. You can research your options online, or schedule an in-person meeting with the firm. A professional service would provide you with a free consultation session and guide you on the steps you can take to pursue your case. Additionally, a professional lawyer can inform you about the probability of winning, so you can make an informed decision before moving forward.
Mistake # 6 Saying the wrong things at the time of the injury
Suffering through an injury can be traumatic and surprising. As a result, you can end up saying the wrong things at the time of the accident. However, the statements you make during this time can often be manipulated and used against you, when you pursue a claim. Therefore, you must restrict yourself from saying anything that can compromise the credibility of the case. For instance, you must avoid apologizing or speculating the cause of the injury.
If you are unfamiliar with the process, submitting a personal injury claim can be an arduous process. However, you can thoroughly investigate your options to hire a professional personal injury lawyer, who can handle all the legal elements of the case. This would enable you to avoid making any mistakes, which can potentially compromise the claim.