Swift & Watkins, PLLC encourages you to learn as much about your potential personal injury claim as possible. The more information you have, the better your chances for success.

Q: What do I need to do if I have been injured?

A: First and foremost see a doctor. If you feel that you've suffered an injury, your first concern should be your health and successfully obtaining any treatment(s) you may need. In addition to receiving any necessary medical care, you should consider the following checklist if a personal injury has affected your life or the life of someone you love.

• Photographs: Have someone take photographs of any injuries you suffered, or of any any evidence you feel may be relative to your claim. Photographs have a greater impact in trial and negotiations than verbal recollections.
• Documentation: Maintain and provide convincing documentation of your losses. Save your receipts for over-the-counter medication, prescriptions, braces, medical bills, and other expenses you incur as a result of the accident. Also, provide record of the names of any witnesses and any statements the person at fault made after the accident. In the event of automotive accidents record and provide any information regarding license plate and drivers license information of the other party involved. If a police officer was present at the accident scene, be sure to obtain a copy of the accident report if available. If the officer does not intend to prepare a report, request the officer's name and badge number for later correspondence.
• Medical: Concentrate on recovery. You must reach the maximum point of recovery from your injury, according to your doctors, to know the maximum value of your claim. Injuries can surface days or months after the accident. Make sure you immediately get the medical treatment you need and inform the doctors of all your injuries when they occur. We suggest keeping a record of your injuries so you don't forget anything. It is importent that all of your injury complaints are included in your medical reports.
• On-the-Job Injuries: Report the injury as soon as possible to your superior at work, including the fact that the injury incurred at work. There is a time limit in which you have to report injuries, so this step is very important. Typically the time limit does not extend past thirty days. Your employer has the right to ask for a drug screen. If you refuse to take the screen it is presumed that your injury was a result of substance abuse at the workplace. If you take the test and fail they have to prove drugs caused the injury, which is a harder standard to meet.

Finally, get the legal support you need and contact Swift & Watkins, PLLC for a free consultation at (918).295.8282.

Q: What is my personal injury claim worth?

A: This can be difficult to answer at the initial stage of your injuries because you have not recovered. If you recover fully, your case is worth less than someone who has a permanent injury. Other factors that can value a claim include:

• The type of injury
• How it occurred
• Medical expenses
• Duration of recovery
• Aggravating factors
• Your desire for a quick settlement or trial
• Potential witness testimony
• Historical case precedence

In order to recover compensation from a personal injury, you must be able to prove that the negligence of the defendant is the direct cause of your injuries. Upon reviewing all applicable aspects and details of your specific case an attorney with Swift & Watkins can begin to estimate the potential worth of your claim.

Q: Do I have to go to court for my personal injury claim?

A: In many cases, a settlement can be reached before trial. However, in order to reach a settlement for the compensation you need, it is a good idea to hire an experienced personal injury attorney. Swift & Watkins personal injury attorneys will be able to handle your personal injury claim for you and work with the defendant to reach an appropriate settlement. At times accepting a settlement offer can be a difficult decision. Swift & Watkins will present you with the pros and cons of settling your case before trial. We will consult you regarding the fairness of the settlement offer, but the final decision is ultimately in your hands.

Q: Can I file my personal injury claim any time after my injury occurs?

A: No. Each state has a statute of limitations that dictates the length of time you have to file your personal injury claim. Differing claims can also have different filing time periods. If you have a personal injury claim, bring it to an experienced personal injury attorney at Swift & Watkins as soon as possible. During your initial consultation, you will be informed of the amount of time you have to file.

Q: Why do I need a personal injury attorney to handle my personal injury claim?

A: Personal injury cases typically involve parties who are represented by insurance adjusters and lawyers hired by the insurance companies. These parties work aggressively to minimize the insurance companies' losses. Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney will best protect your interests in the case, and reduce the amount of time and hassel you have to spend dealing with these parties. Also, personal injury claims handled by experienced personal injury attorneys typically result in greater compensation.

Q: Will Swift & Watkins, PLLC take my personal injury case?

A: If you or a loved one has suffered an injury as the result of another's actions the experienced personal injury attorneys at Swift & Watkins, PLLC in Tulsa, Oklahoma can successfully litigate your unique accident claim. Contact a personal injury attorney at Swift & Watkins, PLLC at (918).295.8282 for a free consultation.

Q: What can I expect from my free initial consultation with Swift & Watkins, PLLC?

A: You will meet with an experienced personal injury attorney at the time of your initial consultation. We will allow a liberal amount of time to meet with you and discuss your potential claim in detail. We will discuss the facts of your potential claim and explain the laws as they might apply to your specific situation. And as always the initial consultation with our team is free.

Q: Will I need to pay any money up front to get started?

A: No. Swift & Watkins, PLLC handles most cases on what is called a contingent fee basis. Simply stated this means if we don't recover, you owe us nothing.