Once you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit for injuries suffered as a result of someone else’s negligence, you need to do everything possible to maximize your potential compensation. You have to remember that a crucial part of making a full recovery is ensuring that you have adequate finances to do so.
Generally, what you do after the incident matters and plays a critical role in determining how much money you can get from the case. You need to do everything right to increase your chances of recovering maximum compensation.
This blog post discusses some tips to help you maximize your personal injury claim. Read on to learn more.
1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately
This is probably the most important thing you can do to increase the value of your personal injury claim. By seeking medical attention right away, you not only ensure that your injuries are well-documented but also increase your chances of making a full recovery.
It is important to remember that some injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage, may not present themselves immediately. This is why it is important to see a doctor even if you don’t think you’ve been seriously hurt.
Furthermore, you need to see a doctor that specializes in treating the type of injuries you have suffered. For instance, if you’ve been in a car accident, you should see a doctor who specialized in treating car accident injuries.
This is important because such doctors are more likely to be familiar with the types of injuries you have suffered and will be able to give you the best possible treatment.
2. Keep Detailed Records
Another important thing you can do to maximize your personal injury claim is to keep detailed records of everything related to your case. This includes all medical bills, receipts, prescriptions, police reports, as well as any other documentation that may be relevant to your case.
You should also keep a journal in which you document your recovery progress. This will be important in demonstrating the extent of your injuries and how they have affected your life.
If you miss work due to your injuries, you should keep records of all lost wages. This includes pay stubs, bank statements, and any other documentation that can show the amount of money you would have earned had you not been injured.
3. Hire an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
One of the best things you can do to maximize your personal injury claim is hiring an experienced personal injury attorney. A good attorney will know how to investigate your case, gather evidence, and negotiate with the insurance company to get you the maximum possible compensation.
Furthermore, an experienced attorney will be familiar with the law and know how to navigate the legal system to get you the best possible outcome.
4. Ask for a Specific Amount
When making your claim, you need to have a specific amount in mind. This is because insurance companies will often try to lowball you by offering an initial settlement that is much lower than what you are actually entitled to.
By having a specific amount in mind, you can make it clear to the insurance company that you will not accept anything less than what you are asking for.
The best way to determine how much money you should demand from the insurance is by calculating the true cost of your economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include things like lost wages and hospital bills.
On the other hand, non-economic damages include things like pain and suffering and emotional distress.
To learn more about calculating the true cost of your damages, you should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney.
If the insurance company refuses to offer you a fair settlement, your attorney can file a lawsuit on your behalf.
5. Do Not Accept the First Settlement Offer
Insurance companies will often try to lowball you by offering an initial settlement that is much lower than what you are actually entitled to.
For this reason, you mustn’t accept the first settlement offer that is made. Instead, you should counter the offer and demand a fair settlement.
If the insurance company still refuses to give you a fair settlement, your attorney can file a lawsuit on your behalf.
6. Watch What You Say
Sometimes, the things you say can be used against you to decrease the amount of money you are awarded in your personal injury claim.
For instance, if you post something on social media that contradicts your injuries, the insurance company will use it as evidence to argue that you are not actually injured.
You should also be careful about what you say to the insurance adjuster. The adjuster is not your friend and will often try to get you to say something that can be used against you.
Therefore, it is always in your best interest to let your attorney handle all communication with the insurance company.
7. Be Willing to Go to Court
If the insurance company refuses to offer you a fair settlement, you may have no choice but to take your case to court. While this may seem like a daunting task, it is important to remember that you have a right to have your case heard by a judge and jury.
An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to guide you through the legal process and help you get the best possible outcome.
8. File on Time
If you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit, it is important to do so within the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is the deadline for filing a lawsuit.
The statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years in most states. This means that you have two years from accident date to file a lawsuit.
If you fail to act swiftly, you will be barred from doing so and will not be able to recover any compensation for your injuries.
Therefore, it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after your accident to ensure that your claim is filed on time.
9. Be Patient
The personal injury claims process can be long and frustrating. It is important to be patient and understand that the insurance company will not hurry to settle your claim.
You should also be prepared for the possibility that your case may take months or even years to resolve.
Summary
Personal injury claims can be a long and frustrating process, but you can maximize your settlement with the right information and support.
The tips we have provided should help get you started on the path to getting the money you deserve.
If you have any questions or need help filing your claim, please don’t hesitate to contact an experienced personal injury attorney.