Personal Injury Protection: Covering the Basics
Every 10 minutes, an estimated 1,054 people suffer a personal injury severe enough to require medical attention. If you’ve recently been injured, then you know that your next steps are the most important ones.
From seeking medical attention and filing a police report to hiring a lawyer to represent your case, there are many different steps to take, forms to complete, and people to consult.
Today, we’re sharing a high-level look at how to secure personal injury protection and why you need it as you move forward and begin to heal.
What Is a Personal Injury?
Before we dive into the importance of finding the right personal injury attorney, let’s begin by answering a basic question. What is a personal injury and what does this category include?
Put simply, this is an injury inflicted on your body, mind, or emotions. If a physical item (such as your car) is hurt during an accident, then that’s referred to as property damage.
There are many different types of personal injury claims that can occur. Five of the most common include:
- Auto accidents
- Medical malpractices
- Wrongful deaths
- Slip and fall accidents
- Workplace injuries
These accidents can affect your body in various ways, leading to afflictions that range from minor to severe. A few of the most common types of personal injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Psychological injuries
The Importance of Legal Protection Following a Personal Injury
Immediately following an injury, you may be required to share the details of the accident with any law enforcement personnel that appear at the scene. They’ll take down your account and use it to create the official police report.
In addition, you may also speak with eyewitnesses who were there or seek medical attention if your injury requires it. Once all of those initial procedures are complete, it’s important to hire a lawyer who can help you navigate the next steps.
If you’ve been wrongfully injured, a personal injury lawyer can:
- Help find medical treatment for your injuries
- Negotiate settlements with your insurance agency
- Consult with you and guide you on the legal process
- Help you file a claim or lawsuit against the responsible party (e.g. a negligent driver)
- Defend you if you’ve been wrongfully accused
- Help you recover compensation (including lost wages) to help cover the cost of your injury
While you can technically perform all of these steps on your own, it’s much easier to let a qualified and experienced legal professional take the reins. This is especially the case if you cannot settle your claim with the insurance agency and you have to take it to court.
Find Personal Injury Protection Today
If you or someone you know has suffered a personal injury, you deserve to take this time to rest and recuperate. You don’t have to spend hours on the phone with your insurance agent or stress about paperwork, legal jargon, and red tape.
If you need a personal injury lawyer in Wilmington, start with our team. We’ve been practicing in the city for more than a decade, and we can help you fight for your rights. Contact us today to learn more about our personal injury protection services and schedule a free consultation.