An accident causes a lot of upheaval. In addition to pain and worry, you often also have to deal with unexpected costs or lost income. It is logical that you then want to know: how do I claim my personal injury and do I get a fair compensation?
In this article, the personal injury lawyers of Arslan Lawyers explain step by step how claiming personal injury works, what damage you can recover and why it is smart to seek legal assistance.
What does claiming personal injury mean?
Claiming personal injury means that you recover the costs and losses that you suffered as a result of an accident from the liable party. This could, for example, be a motorist, an employer in case of a work accident or a doctor in case of a medical error.
It’s not just about the damage you notice immediately, but also about future damage. Think of lost income, ongoing care costs or adjustments in your home in case of permanent injury.
What damage can you claim?
Many victims mainly think of medical costs when it comes to personal injury. But the damage items are often much more extensive:
Medical costs: deductible, medication, therapies, aids.
Income loss: missed wages or profit (also for freelancers and entrepreneurs).
Travel expenses: to doctors, therapists or hospitals.
Household help: costs for home help or informal care that needs to be hired.
Adjustments: home adjustments, aids or special vehicles.
Compensation for pain and suffering: compensation for pain, sadness and loss of enjoyment of life.
A good personal injury lawyer ensures that all damage items are taken into account, even those you may not have thought of yourself.
How does claiming personal injury work?
Claiming personal injury proceeds in a number of steps:
Assuming liability
The first step is to hold the other party accountable. This is done by means of a formal letter. If the liability is acknowledged, the damage settlement process can begin.
Medical information and mapping damage
Your medical situation is recorded, often with a medical record or statement. At the same time, all damage items are collected: current costs, missed income and future damage.
Advance and further settlement
An advance on the compensation is often paid out at an early stage. This is followed by the final damage calculation.
Paying out the compensation
As soon as all damage is clear, a final settlement is made. The compensation is paid directly by the insurer.
Cases from practice
A cyclist was hit and sustained permanent injury to his leg. His compensation consisted of medical costs, lost income and pain and suffering.
A cleaner slipped at work. Thanks to legal help, the costs for household help and travel expenses were also reimbursed.
A freelancer lost assignments due to a car accident. His income loss was calculated based on previous annual figures and fully recovered.
Why hire legal help?
You can try to claim the damage yourself, but in practice we see that victims often forget or underestimate important damage items. As a result, they are missing thousands of euros.
A personal injury lawyer:
knows all damage items and knows how to substantiate them;
negotiates on your behalf with the insurer;
ensures that you get an advance and do not get into financial trouble;
works for you for free: the costs are recovered from the liable party.
Checklist: this is what you do immediately after an accident
📸 Take photos of the scene of the accident.
👩⚕️ Visit a doctor and make sure your complaints are recorded well.
🧾 Keep all receipts and invoices.
📞 Contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Should I contact the other party myself?
No, your lawyer does this. This prevents mistakes and unnecessary discussions.
When will I get my first compensation?
An advance is often paid out quickly, so you are not without money.
Does a personal injury lawyer cost me money?
No, the costs are recovered from the liable party. The help is free for you.
How long does a personal injury case take?
This varies per case. Sometimes it is arranged quickly, but in case of permanent injury it often takes longer because it still needs to become clear how your recovery is going.
Conclusion
Claiming personal injury is often more complex than it seems. It’s not just about the immediate costs, but also about future damage. With the help of a specialized personal injury lawyer, you can be sure that you get what you are entitled to – and that you can focus on your recovery.
The lawyers of Arslan Lawyers assist victims of accidents on a daily basis. We ensure that your full damage is recovered and that you get clarity quickly.
