If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you may be able to file a personal injury claim with insurance for your medical bills and other expenses. Before you do so, you’ll need to determine how fault and negligence plays a role in your case, what evidence to keep track of and if your case is worth making the effort for. Not all cases are equal, and some can get you more compensation for your injuries than others, as a personal injury lawyer can explain. Discussing your situation with a lawyer can be the best way to help get started in the right direction, but here are some things to keep in mind if you’re going to file a personal injury claim.

Average Settlement Amount

Again, not all claims are equal, and each one varies in how much it’s worth. The average settlement claim is between $3,000 and $75,000. You may have seen a commercial for an attorney who got someone an especially high amount of money for their injury claim, but that’s not the average situation. Most of those cases involve special conditions, so don’t get your hopes up for millions of dollars. You can, however, aim for the amount that covers your lost wages and medical expenses.

Personal Injury Claims

A personal injury claim can be made to obtain money for any expenses that resulted from your injury. However, you must prove that the injury was caused by the accident you were in and that the other driver was negligent. You won’t be able to collect from the other driver’s insurance if you can’t prove that they were responsible for the accident, and subsequently, your injuries.

Importance of Negligence 

Negligence can determine if you get compensated by the other driver’s insurance company if they were responsible for the accident. You’ll need to look into your state’s laws, as different forms of negligence exist and can drastically affect the outcome of your case — or if you can even file a claim at all.

Essential Evidence 

The evidence you collect and maintain both at the crash site and afterward are incredibly important for making your case. You may need to prove that your injury was caused by the accident, in which case you’ll need to see a doctor shortly following the accident and obtain a copy of their medical report.

You may need other documents as well, as each situation is different. A lawyer can help determine what’s necessary and what’s not, so don’t hesitate to reach out to one for some advice.