A personal injury accident can upend your life and cause an overwhelming amount of stress as a result of physical, emotional, mental, and financial factors Seeking fair compensation for your losses and damages is one of the first steps in helping you regain your footing. This may make you wonder how to increase settlement value and what you can do to receive the maximum accident injury compensation.
To ensure you receive the personal injury maximum compensation you deserve, it’s important to be proactive. We share 10 effective strategies that can help you maximize your compensation.
1. Seek Medical Attention
You’ll want to seek care as soon as you are able to after your accident. Not only does benefit your own health and safety, but it also makes it clear that any medical care needed is related to the injury and your accident. This makes it harder for insurance companies to dispute your claims later on.
These medical records will serve as crucial evidence of your injuries and can help you and your legal team present a strong case that helps you receive the personal injury compensation you deserve.
2. Document Damages
Detailed recordkeeping is an important aspect of building a strong case. You will want to collect and save any expenses related to your injuries such as medical bills, prescription costs, transportation, or any other receipts. It’s also important to document any lost wages if you are expecting to be out of work for a period of time.
While you are at the scene of the accident and if you are able, make sure to take extensive photos and videos of the damage. It’s essential to be as thorough as possible because these are important pieces of evidence that can help rebuild the scene later on when lawyers, judges, or juries review them.
3. Avoid Making Statements
It is best to not make any statements to the at-fault party’s insurance company; let your attorney handle this. And it’s best to be cautious when you communicate with your insurance company after an accident. You don’t want to say anything that could later be used against you. Keep the details minimal and general until you are able to get in touch with an attorney. Gather Evidence
The evidence you collect will be the foundation for your case. This will include any of the photos, videos, and other recordkeeping we recommended earlier as well as additional information from those involved.
Be sure to follow up with the police and any medical staff to collect their reports and records. These are all important components to building a strong case. The more complete of a story you’re able to tell, the more convincing your claim will be.
4. Assess Long-Term Damages
There are likely many expenses that you’re facing currently as a result of the immediate damages of the accident. This may include medical expenses, property damage, loss of wages, etc. As important as it is to collect current damages, it is also just as important to calculate the long-term damages and impact. For example, ongoing medical treatments are not a one-time expense. If you needed a few months of therapy to aid in your recovery, you’ll want to account for that.
In addition, consider any potential loss of future earnings.
5. Be Careful of a Quick Settlement
Settling a personal injury claim quickly is not always a win. It is not uncommon for insurance companies to offer a low amount when negotiations begin. You’ll likely be offered a settlement quickly that minimizes the payout for the insurance companies.
This is why it is important to have a good understanding of your case and the compensation that aligns with the loss and damages you’ve experienced. Having good legal representation on your side can help in getting a fair offer.
6. Review Your Timeline and Rules
Many cases involve a statute of limitations which is a time period within which you must file any claim for your case. It’s important to begin your process before the time limit, otherwise, you may not be able to receive any compensation at all.
It’s also important to understand any rules that may apply to your case. Some states follow a comparative negligence rule or a contributory negligence rule which means that you may not be entitled to receive the entirety of compensation for losses if you are found partially at fault.
Understanding these concepts ahead of time can help you prepare properly for the process.
7. Refrain from Posting on Social Media
It is in your best interest to keep the details of your case private. While you may want to share your experience on social media, avoid discussing or posting pictures of your accident online. These could be taken out of context and do more harm than good.
Anyone can find and use the posts you share on social media to justify lowering compensation or denying your claim. Until everything has been resolved, the best bet is to keep your information private and away from the public eye.
8. Consider Non-economic Damages
In addition to any economic damages (medical expenses, property damage, etc.) it’s also important to consider any non-economic damages resulting from your injury. These are losses that are not easily quantifiable. This could include your mental health, any emotional stress, pain, and suffering, or even impacts on relationships, reputation, or appearance.
Assessing non-economic damages can be subjective and complex. There are also varying methods that are used to calculate, limit, and award such damages. To have a full understanding of how non-economic damages may apply to you, consider discussing your case with an experienced personal injury attorney.
9. Consult with an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney at DiPasquale Moore
When it comes to securing the maximum compensation you deserve, the team at DiPasquale Moore is on your side and ready to advocate on your behalf. Our team of skilled personal injury lawyers has a reputation for success.
Why choose DiPasquale Moore?
- Proven Track Record: We have a history that speaks to our skills and our commitment to securing the best outcomes for clients. Take a look at our past results.1
- Tailored Approach: We treat our clients like family and defend them as such. Each case is unique, and we ensure each client receives the guidance and attention he or she deserves.
- Comprehensive Guidance: We are committed to our clients from day one and walk them through each step of the legal process from collecting evidence to litigation.
Don’t let your personal injury claim go uncompensated and start your journey towards justice today. Get in touch with our team for a free consultation and let us fight for your rights and the compensation you deserve.