What exactly is a personal injury claim? In simple terms, it’s a legal action that can be initiated when you have suffered physical or emotional harm due to the actions or inactions of another party. Filing a personal injury claim aims to “make you whole,” which means seeking compensation for your injuries and related expenses. As your personal injury lawyer in Twin Falls, we at Gariepy Law Offices are here to help you navigate the complexities of your personal injury claim while you focus on recovering and moving forward with your life.
The most common personal injury scenarios involve being injured in a vehicle accident as a driver, passenger, pedestrian, or bicyclist or suffering a slip and fall in a public or private area because someone failed to make or maintain the space safe for people to access. Personal injuries can range from minor to severe and life-changing. The potentially available compensation will reflect the impact on your life due to the accident.
What To Do First
In the wake of an injury, your immediate priority is your physical health. After an accident, it’s crucial to seek prompt medical care, even if your injuries seem minor. Some injuries, such as neck injury or internal damage, may not be immediately apparent. This makes immediate and follow-up medical examination and care critical for your best and complete recovery. We understand the importance of your health and the role it plays in your recovery. Additionally, maintaining medical records is vital evidence should you decide to pursue a claim.
Document Everything
Following your injury, it’s essential, if you are able, to document all relevant details as soon as possible following your injury. This includes photographing the scene, noting the weather and all pertinent surface conditions of the area where the injury occurred, and providing contact information for potential witnesses.
Secondly, begin maintaining and organizing a record of your medical treatments, any diagnoses, a list of care appointments and treatment providers, treatment recommendations, care plans, and medical records and invoices.
In addition, make sure you keep receipts for every single out-of-pocket expense paid, copays for medical visits, medical equipment purchased as needed, etc., related to your injury. These will be important for any reimbursement claim made.
As you focus on your physical recovery, do not neglect to document your emotional and mental health progress and recovery as well. Keeping a journal detailing your pain levels and the impact of the injury on your daily life is critical to any filed claim for personal injury. The more comprehensive your documentation, the stronger your case will be.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
In Idaho, there is a general two-year time frame from the date of your injury within which you can file a personal injury lawsuit. This time constraint is known as the statute of limitations. Failure to meet this deadline may result in losing your right to seek compensation through the court system.
While two years might appear to be an extensive period, constructing a robust case can take several months, so initiating the process as early as possible is advisable. To validate a personal injury claim, it is essential to demonstrate that someone else was at fault for your injury. Idaho adheres to a “modified comparative negligence” rule. This indicates that if you were partly responsible for the accident, your compensation might be diminished. However, you can still recover damages if you are less than 50% liable.
We Can Help You Navigate This Process.
Gariepy Law Offices has been representing injured people for more than two decades. We offer results-driven representation you can depend on after you have suffered an injury. As your representatives, it is our job to assess the true value of your claim, navigate the legal process on your behalf through negotiation or trial as necessary, and ensure that your rights are protected. We will focus on the severity of your injuries, recouping your medical expenses (both current and future), and recovering any lost wages and damages for pain and suffering. As your personal injury lawyer in Twin Falls, we are experienced and ready to proceed to court on your behalf, as needed.
Schedule a Consultation with a Personal Injury Lawyer in Twin Falls
If you’ve been injured, don’t wait. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation. We’re here to help you understand your rights and guide you through the legal process. Call us 24/7 at (208) 726-4824.