After an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the right to file a personal injury claim for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. However, navigating the legal system is often difficult, especially if you’re recovering from serious injuries. While the specific steps you should take and the timeline can vary widely from one case to the next, the tips below will help you start the process of filing a suit.

Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit

Seek Medical Attention

Every personal injury case is built on medical expenses, so you should see a doctor even if your condition doesn’t seem severe. Some injuries take hours or even days to fully develop, so contemporaneous medical records that establish a baseline standard of health and future changes can link your damages to the accident and be instrumental in proving liability.

Collect Evidence to Establish Liability

If you’re physically able, get photos of the accident scene, including any elements that contributed to your injuries. In some cases, such as a traffic accident, you may be able to do this before leaving the site. You should also try to collect the contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident, along with a brief description of what they saw. Finally, note the positions of any surveillance cameras that might have recorded the accident.

Obtain Any Police Reports

If public safety officials responded to your incident, they will generate records of the event; this is especially true in car accident cases. Drivers are required to notify the police of any collision in which someone was injured so they can determine criminal liability and investigate the cause of the crash. You may be given a copy of a preliminary report with statements from both you and the other party at the scene. Obtain a copy of the official police report as soon as the document is available so you can verify that it accurately reflects the circumstances surrounding your injuries.

If you’ve been hurt through no fault of your own, a personal injury attorney can be an invaluable resource. As one of Montana’s premier law firms, Best & Westover Law has represented victims throughout Flathead County and the state. Visit their website to see how they can help with your personal injury case, or call (406) 752-8731 to schedule your free initial consultation.