4 Tips for Seeking Compensation Due to Personal Injury in Knoxville, TN

If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s actions, you may be considering seeking compensation from the negligent party. Receiving compensation in Knoxville, TN could help you cover out-of-pocket expenses, such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Every personal injury claim is different, but there are steps you can take, from getting medical treatment to hiring a personal injury lawyer, to maximize your chances of filing a successful claim.

1. Preserve Evidence

In addition to helping prove what happened, the evidence provides proof of your injuries and their severity as well as any potential consequences. The type of evidence you gather will depend on the kind of accident you were involved in. Examples of evidence to preserve at the scene include:

• Any accident reports
• Photographs of the scene
• Witness statements and contact details
• CCTV footage

You will also want evidence of any injuries you’ve suffered and any financial losses, such as:

• Photographs of the injury
• Medical records
• Medical bills
• Payslips

2. Seek Medical Treatment

Always seek medical treatment after an accident, even if you feel like you’re not injured. In addition to diagnosing and treating obvious injuries, a medical professional can identify unseen problems that may be delayed or hidden by adrenaline.

Seeking medical treatment also helps your legal claim, as it provides documentation of your injury. Failing to report at the time of the incident could affect your chance of winning the case, especially if the other party claims the injuries were not a result of the accident. They may also try to claim your injuries aren’t as severe as you say: your medical records will contradict this claim.

3. Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

Working with a local law firm is key to maximizing your potential of filing a successful claim. An experienced Knoxville lawyer will be well-versed in local and Tennessee law, and may even be able to identify additional damages you may be entitled to. Using their knowledge, experience, and local network, they can work on your behalf, investigating the incident, gathering evidence, managing paperwork, handling legal negotiations, and potentially securing a higher final settlement.

4. Stay Off Social Media

Posts made about the incident or accident, the injuries you sustained, how you’re feeling, or how your recovery is going could be seen and used by the opposing party. We all naturally want to tell people good news and are inclined to say “we’re fine” even when we’re not. An insurance company looking to minimize their payout may latch onto a post that says this and use it to claim you’re not badly injured or even faking injury entirely. Be cautious of what you share and, if in doubt, just stay off social media.

If you or a family member has suffered an injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, follow our top 4 tips to maximize your chances of success with a personal injury claim. Contact Gilreath & Associates in Knoxville today for a free consultation and learn how we can help you seek the compensation you deserve.

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