If you’ve suffered a personal injury due to the negligence of another party, you’ll understandably want fair compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and suffering. If you suffered a serious injury, you may even be able to make a personal injury claim for future damages if the injury causes a disability or requires surgery at a later time. Injuries can be suffered at any time due to a wide variety of causes including car accidents, slips, and falls, defective products, workplace hazards, medical malpractice, and more. If you believe you have a personal injury claim, you may wonder how you can maximize its value.
While it isn’t a guarantee, there is a chance that an MRI scan can increase a personal injury case’s value. This is partly because getting an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) will increase your out-of-pocket medical expenses, which you can recoup as part of a settlement. Additionally, an MRI may be able to pick up issues that aren’t able to be seen with other imaging methods. In these cases, an MRI helps to prove the extent of your injuries. It’s certainly worth considering an MRI exam if you’re experiencing pain or other symptoms that aren’t explained by X-rays. MRIs are also useful for detecting microscopic brain injuries that may be invisible to CT scans. Here are some of the most important things you can do to increase your odds of a successful injury claim.
Seek Immediate Medical Care
If you’re considering an MRI exam, it’s probably safe to say you’ve already seen a medical professional. It’s crucial to do this as soon as possible after an injury for both your safety and the integrity of your case. If you delay getting treatment, your insurance company may resist paying for your treatments. If your personal injury case goes to court later, the defendant could also discredit your claim by saying your injuries came from other sources.
Receiving treatment as soon as possible also helps with your medical records. It helps to prove your injuries and your expenses, which will be vital for any settlement. Medical record gaps can be devastating for an injury claim, so it’s best to make sure they’re as spotless as possible.
Prepare for Your Claim
While your health should always be your primary concern, it’s best to start planning your injury claim as soon as you can. Notifying your insurance company and filing as soon as you can increase the odds of your claim being accepted. If your claim is denied, you may be able to dispute the denial, or you may need to file a suit. If you do decide to file a personal injury lawsuit, you’ll have to do so within the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations will vary by state, but you have two years to file a lawsuit on average.
You’ll need to collect as much evidence as possible to support your claim, including your medical records and any witness/police reports relevant to your injury. Keep track of all medical treatments, expenses, and wages lost due to your injury as these will be important for your settlement.
Find a Personal Injury Attorney
If you’ve already had a claim denied, or if you’re simply overwhelmed with the process, it’s a great idea to consult personal injury lawyers. Personal injury law firms can give you the best advice on your case, and you can trust their lawyers to know the system inside and out. They’ll know how to speak to insurers to get your claim approved. If it comes to it, an experienced trial lawyer can argue your case before a judge to get a positive verdict for your case. A law firm can also advise you about MRIs and any other procedures that may be able to increase the value of your claim.
