A slip-and-fall, car accident, medical malpractice or a dog bite, personal injuries come in many forms. And when they do, the outcome can be life-altering. If your injuries are attributable to someone else’s unlawful actions, you may hold the liable party accountable through a personal injury lawsuit.
However, not all personal injury claims end in compensation. If your claim is denied, you might want to know what happened so you can explore your next cause of action. Here are two common reasons why personal injury claims fall through the cracks.
Missing crucial deadlines
A personal injury can throw your life into chaos, especially if you sustain catastrophic injuries. However, it is important to understand that time is of the essence if you are planning to seek damages.
Every state has a time limit within which the personal injury victim may bring a civil lawsuit against the defendant. This is known as the statute of limitations period. And in Alaska, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years. This means that you have two years from the date of your injury to file your claim. Failure to file your claim within the two-year period can lead to a refusal.
Failing to seek treatment
If you are involved in any form of personal injury, it is important that you seek medical attention as soon as you possibly can. This is important for two reasons. Firstly, you need to recover as soon as possible so you can carry on with your life. And, secondly, you need a medical report that links your injuries to the accident in question. You will have a difficult time proving your case if you do not have any medical report that links your injuries and the damages you are seeking to the alleged accident.
Protecting your rights
If you are hurt as a result of someone else’s negligence, you deserve justice. Learning more about Alaska negligence laws can help you safeguard your rights and interests while pursuing your personal injury lawsuit.