If you sustain injuries in an accident as a result of carelessness or negligence of someone else, you have a legal entitlement to seek compensation from the at-fault party.
If you've never done it before, filing a personal injury lawsuit to get compensation can be a lengthy and challenging process.
Personal injury cases are more complicated than most people think, so you need to maximize your potential benefit by hiring a personal injury lawyer for legal help.
The tips in the article below will help you to make the most out of your personal injury claim.
Table of Contents
- Value Your Claim Fully
- Have A Specific Settlement Amount In Mind
- Preserve Evidence
- Get Medical Treatment
- Stay Off Social Media
- Don't Jump At The First Offer
- Don't Forget Future Damages
- Hire An Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer
Value Your Claim Fully
From the loss of bodily functions, use of your limbs, emotional distress, etc., the amount of damages in a personal injury claim are endless.
Recovery programs can be expensive, especially if they come out-of-pocket.
Evaluate the categories of damages as they pertain to your personal situation so you know the value of your claim.
Have a Specific Settlement Amount in Mind
While putting together your personal injury settlement demand letter, you've figured out a range of what you believe your claim is worth.
Before you speak to an insurance adjuster about your demand, decide on a minimum settlement figure you would accept within that range.
Keep this figure to yourself, and don't reveal it to the adjuster. Before the offers and counter-offers start going back and forth, it helps if you already have your bottom line in mind.
Remember, you don't have to cling to the figure you initially set for yourself.
If the adjuster points out facts you had not considered but which clearly make your claim weaker, don't be afraid to lower your minimum figure somewhat.
If the adjuster starts with a low settlement offer or a number at or near your minimum, or if you discover evidence that makes your claim stronger, you may want to raise your minimum.
Preserve Evidence
If you have to go to court to settle the claim, your case will likely be decided by a judge or jury.
The judge or jury will examine the evidence that has been collected during the case, so it's essential to preserve your evidence to strengthen your case.
This means taking a photo of the scene of the accident and of your immediate injuries. Keep all of the documents, records, and information about your injuries.
Any piece of evidence related to your injury must be kept.
Get Medical Treatment
Receiving the personal injury compensation you deserve means getting a fair payment for your injuries and other losses.
To do this, you need an accurate picture of the different types of damages.
That means having a doctor and other health care professionals document your injuries and formulate a treatment plan becomes crucial evidence.
This documentation encourages the insurance companies to come to the table and offer a higher settlement.
You should get medical care, even if you're unsure about the extent of your injuries or if you feel fine after an accident.
If your doctor recommends a treatment plan, you should carefully follow it to ensure you get fair compensation.
Stay Off Social Media Accounts
If you want to receive a fair settlement, it's important to stay off social media.
Anyone, including lawyers and claims adjusters, can find and use the comments or photos that you post on social media sites.
Claims adjusters search for evidence even on social media sites so that they can use the information against you to lower your compensation amount.
That means it is in your best interest to refrain from posting anything concerning the case and accident scene on social media.
Also, you could be suing against devastating injuries, but your social media platforms tell a different story, which could potentially ruin your case.
Remember that everyone can see what you're doing on social media, and it could adversely affect your personal injury settlement.
Don't Jump at the First Offer
It's standard practice for insurance companies to begin negotiations by first offering a very low amount.
By doing this, the adjuster is trying to find out whether you understand what your claim is worth and how patient you are.
Your response to the first offer will depend on whether it's reasonable but too low or so low that it's clearly just a tactic to see if you know what you're doing.
If the offer is reasonable, you can make a counteroffer that's a little lower than your demand letter amount.
That shows the adjuster that you are also reasonable and willing to compromise.
A little more bargaining should quickly get you to a fair settlement amount.
In situations like this, don't bother to go over all the facts again. Just emphasize the strongest points in your favor.
Don't Forget Future Damages
A personal injury can bring losses both immediately and long into the future.
You might not fully recover from your injuries before your case goes to trial or negotiations, so it's crucial to consider future recovery and out-of-pocket expenses when negotiating a settlement amount.
Be sure to keep detailed records and include future damages as a part of your claim. In some cases, future damages will comprise the majority of your losses.
That's why it's crucial to work with medical professionals to document these losses and include them in your personal injury compensation claim against the responsible party.
Hire an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer
This is perhaps the most valuable tip we've offered.
You need to carefully select the right personal injury attorney to represent you when you have been severely injured due to someone else's negligence.
The personal injury lawyer you select to help with the legal process will have a significant impact on whether or not you receive a favorable outcome.
The level of expertise and skills vary from lawyer to lawyer, so pay close attention to the kind of attorney you hire to get maximum compensation for the personal injury claim.
The type of personal injury cases the lawyer has handled in the past and the attention you get as the client determine the potential compensation amount you will get.
Helping The Hurt has a team of experienced attorneys who have made it their mission to do just that: help the hurt.
The personal injury attorneys with Helping the Hurt are not willing to accept inadequate settlements for their clients.
They have helped thousands of clients get the results they deserve and not just the paltry amount the insurance companies offered them.
It is their goal to help clients receive maximum compensation for medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering so they can return to normal daily life without the burden of substantial financial losses.
Injury accident victims should always seek legal representation as soon as possible to preserve strong evidence and file a claim against the at-fault party within the statute of limitations.
To schedule a free consultation with Helping The Hurt, click the button below.
