Tips On Filing A Personal Injury Lawsuit Against A Friend Or Family Member
Filing a personal injury lawsuit is already difficult enough, but this difficulty is compounded when the lawsuit is against a friend or family member. While you are certainly deserving of any compensation that you receive, the lawsuit could take a definite toll on your relationship, causing a once beautiful friendship to become strained. However, when someone you know and love is negligent and causes you harm, there are ways to receive the restitution you deserve while still preserving the relationship. Use this information to learn more about how you can keep things cordial when filing a personal injury lawsuit against a friend or family member.
Deal Directly With The Insurer
The first thing you need to know when suing a friend or family member in a personal injury case is that you should deal directly with the insurer. Some people who file lawsuits against those that they know may feel a need to have their loved one become an errand runner, constantly going back and forth to attorneys or the insurance company to relay their personal messages about what they want.
You want your loved one to know that you are not trying to complicate their life, and neither are you trying to attack their personal finances. You're only looking to receive the compensation that will make you whole. This can help to restore some of the trust that you had in your relationship prior to the incident so that your relationship won't become a ball of confusion.
Keep Your Loved One Abreast
Keeping the details of your personal injury case private can breed resentment within your loved one because they may be unsure of where they stand. If you don't let them in on the case standings, they may believe that you are looking to get more than what you actually need.
Each time a new development occurs in your personal injury claim, let your loved one know about it. Tell them what's going on with your medical expenses, and keep them abreast concerning your return to work date, and any other pertinent details. When you do this, you are letting your loved one know that you have nothing to hide, and that you are committed to keeping your relationship strong at all costs.
Although filing a lawsuit against someone you care about can be a very tumultuous occasion, it doesn't have to spell the end of your relationship. Use these tips to get through the process with your relationship still intact.