Can a Personal Injury Claim Be Reopened?

By doinjurylaw | December 16, 2024

This question is one of the most sought-after queries during and after a personal injury is settled. But the short answer to this is no. It is usually not possible to reopen your personal injury claim case.

But every case is different, and to understand the complexity of it and if it can be reopened, you need to consult a personal injury attorney in Sacramento. In this blog, we will answer some of your questions and doubts regarding reopening a personal injury case.

Table of Contents

What Are The Primary Damages Pushed By A Car Accident Lawyer In Natomas During A Personal Injury Claim Case

Listed below are the primary types of damages that are taken into consideration during a personal injury claim case.

1. Financial Damages

Economic damage is the primary type of damage that you may incur during a personal injury. These damages make personal injury victims suffer the most and include-

Medical bills that include emergency, immediate, and ongoing care
Repairs to property that has been damaged during the incident
Alterations that were made to a home or other areas to adjust for any disability caused by the accident.
Required physical therapy and rehabilitation
Loss of income and earning capacity

2. Non-Economic Damages

A personal experience of the victim following the incident can lead to non-financial damages. This may include pain and suffering resulting from psychological trauma, disfigurement, and other issues.

3. Punitive Damages

In some cases of personal injury claims, plaintiffs can seek punitive damages with the help of their auto accident lawyer in West Sacramento. These damages are different from compensatory damages since their main aim is to punish the defendants and take necessary precautions to avoid similar behavior in the future.

There is always a possibility that you may discover additional damages you hadn’t discovered during the initial case which may prompt you to reopen the claim. This becomes especially less complicated if you don’t sign a release of liability. Regardless of the type of case you want to reopen, your personal injury attorney in Sacramento can work with you to identify the damages involved in your case and include them in a settlement.

How To Originally Handle Your Case If You Plan On Reopening Your Personal Injury Claim Case In The Future?

While it is not possible to reopen a claim case, here are a few things you can do to ascertain you never have to.

Don’t Sign The Release Until You Are Absolutely Sure
Your personal injury case concludes with signing a release form that officially releases the defendant from the liability or legal responsibility for the accident and injuries.

Signing this legal document means you have completely accepted the settlement and are releasing any right you had regarding filing a lawsuit against the defendant.

Therefore, once the form is signed, you will not be able to hold the same person responsible for the same injury. Although it is true that you may eventually find that you need more money than what has been initially offered to you by the insurance company, there can be nothing more done if the release form is already signed.

That is why consult your injury lawyer in Sacramento and do not sign the release form.
Understand the Full Value of Your Claim
An auto accident lawyer in West Sacramento will first make a detailed note of all your injuries and losses to make sure it is both transparent and accurate. This is an important step since it will prevent the case or the defendant from undervaluing your injuries.

Once you have a proper account of every single compensable damage in the case, along with amounts that accurately showcase your lifetime of losses, you can count on it to make up for the present and future losses.

The most common damage category in an injury claim case is medical bills. However, they are often ignored, which may persuade the plaintiff to reopen the case later.

That is why it is important to reach out to a highly experienced car accident lawyer in Natomas since they will not miss out on adding all projected doctor’s appointments, medical tests, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and physical therapies related to the accident to make the claim case stronger.

In addition, lost wages and job losses due to permanent disability are also major areas that your attorney can bring into account for future losses.
Always Discuss The Settlement With Your Injury Lawyer in Sacramento
Never accept or sign the release form without getting it reviewed by your personal injury attorney in Sacramento. This is an important step since your attorney will help you negotiate with the insurance company for an amount that properly and accurately covers all your past and future losses.

Most Common Reasons For Plaintiffs Reopening Personal Injury Claim Case.

Signing a release form does not just officially end your claim case but also gives away your right to reopen it if you ever need more financial support or assistance with other damages. Here is why you may feel the need to reopen your personal injury claim case.

Medical expenses- These can include ambulance bills, medication, therapy, and other costs related to long-term medical care if the injury is permanent.
Loss of wages- This includes not only financial losses that you attained when you were attending scheduled doctor’s appointments but also the loss of earning potential and future loss of earnings due to a disability caused by the injury.
Pain and suffering- While it is not a part of all claim cases, depending on the extent of damages for pain and suffering and the length of your recovery, you may feel the need to reopen your personal injury claim case.

Looking For The Best Personal Injury Attorney in Sacramento? Doyle & O’Donnell Has Got You Covered.

Being injured in a car accident is an extremely challenging situation where you need all the support. You need the correct legal assistance to get out of the difficulties and safeguard your rights.

That is where Doyle & O’Donnell, the best car accident lawyer in Natomas, comes into play. Our highly knowledgeable legal professionals and experts will leave no stone unturned to help you achieve a fair outcome by supporting you throughout the legal process.

Posted in Personal Injury