Have you been injured by someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions? If so, you may be able to recover compensation for your damages.
Through the at-fault party’s insurance company, you may be able to negotiate a personal injury settlement for your physical, psychological, and financial damages.
You also have the option of filing a civil lawsuit and pursuing your claim in court.
However, negotiating a settlement means getting compensation sooner, without the time, hassle, and cost of a trial.
If you were wrongfully injured, you deserve fair compensation.
Follow these five tips to help maximize the amount of your settlement.
#1: Document Everything
The more accurately and thoroughly you can document your claim, the better your chances of maximizing your personal injury settlement. This might include demonstrating how the at-fault party’s actions caused your accident and injuries.
Take photos of the accident scene and collect contact information from any witnesses that are present. You’ll also need to get a copy of your police report.
Use a folder or large envelope to collect all your medical bills, car repair estimates, and receipts for out-of-pocket expenses. Finally, keep a detailed journal of your pain, emotional trauma, and other symptoms.
Include information about your treatment, recovery, time off work, and any other details that will help support your personal injury claim.
Don’t over-exaggerate, just keep an account of your day to day life and how your injuries have changed it.
#2: Get a Comprehensive Medical Evaluation
Even if you believe you weren’t hurt badly, go to the emergency room or see a doctor as soon as possible after an injury accident.
You may have internal injuries, a concussion, or soft tissue damage (like whiplash) that you aren’t even aware of. This helps ensure that you get the treatment you need as quickly as possible.
If you wait to seek medical treatment, the insurance company may try to say you weren’t seriously injured. Your medical records will play a crucial role in your claim and help you negotiate the best possible personal injury settlement.
#3: Don’t Provide a Recorded Statement to the Insurance Company
Once the claims process gets underway, you will likely receive a call from the at-fault party’s insurance company. They will ask you to make a recorded statement. They may even tell you that this is a normal part of the process or that it’s necessary to process your claim.
You are NOT obligated to provide any statement.
In fact, the insurance company can (and will) use anything you say as a reason to minimize your personal injury claim value or deny your claim outright.
#4: Don’t Accept an Undervalued Settlement Offer
Don’t be surprised if the insurance company offers you a settlement shortly after your injury accident. Typically, this means they know you have a viable claim.
They might offer you a small settlement, hoping you will take a quick payout, even though the value of your claim could be significantly higher.
Once you accept that injury settlement, you will give up your rights to recover any further compensation.
Insurance companies use various tactics to reduce their liability. Beware of any documents they ask you to sign or any unexpected checks they send you in the mail.
Consider talking to an attorney so you don’t accidentally sign away your right to pursue a fair personal injury settlement.
#5: Consult a Personal Injury Attorney
Personal injury attorneys have in-depth knowledge and experience in negotiating personal injury settlements.
They know how to build a persuasive case and how to take a firm stance with insurance companies. Your attorney will handle everything, including dealing with the insurance company and their team of attorneys.
This frees up your time to focus on recovering from your injuries and getting your life back on track.
Most personal injury attorneys offer a free consultation and case evaluation to help you explore your options for filing a claim.
Best of all, you won’t have to pay any legal fees until they recover compensation for your damages.
Talk to a Personal Injury Attorney About Your Injuries
If you were injured in a car accident, motorcycle accident, slip and fall, or any other accident that wasn’t your fault, you deserve compensation.
For over 30 years, the personal injury attorneys at VanDerGinst Law have been helping victims of accident injuries.
Our lawyers provide passionate advocacy, representing thousands of clients who have collectively recovered hundreds of millions of dollars.
We take the time to get to know our clients, listen carefully to their stories, and keep them informed about their cases.
To schedule a free case evaluation, call (800) 797-5391 or contact us online. We want to help you recover the best possible personal injury settlement.
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The information contained on this website is presented by VanDerGinst Law P.C. It is not intended nor should it be construed as professional legal advice. The information is general in nature about the Firm, the scope of services we offer, and our community outreach, it is not legal advice. Please contact us by phone, email, mail, or via this website for inquiries. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please contact a personal injury attorney for a consultation regarding your situation. This website is not intended to solicit clients outside the State of Iowa and/or the State of Illinois.