Once you’ve made the decision to file a personal injury claim, you want to take all the steps you can to maximize your settlement.
Once you’ve made the decision to file a personal injury claim, you want to take all the steps you can to maximize your settlement. An important piece of making a full recovery is not having to worry about medical bills or lost income.
Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
If you are seriously injured due to an accident, medical malpractice, or defective product, hire an attorney to represent you right away. Choose one with a track record of success. This can’t be stressed enough. The personal injury lawyer you choose will make a significant impact on whether you can maximize your personal injury settlement.
The skill level, experience, and familiarity of the lawyer with cases like yours are all factors to consider. Be sure to ask questions to determine if they have the experience and expertise to maximize your personal injury settlement. In addition to questions about their experience, ask your lawyer how often they go to trial. Discuss with them why or why not. Find out who will be handling your case and make sure you are comfortable with them.
Preserve the Evidence for Trial
When you are suing in a personal injury case, the burden of proof is on you. You must present enough evidence to prove your claim at trial. This means you should begin preserving evidence as soon as you can after the accident. Physical evidence may get lost, and witnesses may disappear.
Take pictures of the scene of the accident, damage to your car, or of the defective product as well as visible injuries. If you were in a traffic accident, get a copy of the police report. If there were witnesses, ask for their contact information. If there was a surveillance camera in the area, request a copy of the footage.
The defendant will be building their defense against you almost immediately. Never speak to a defendant or insurance company without first talking to your lawyer.
Get Medical Treatment Immediately
A huge factor in maximizing your personal injury settlement is the treatment you received. If you are injured, be sure to seek treatment and follow your doctor’s treatment plan to the letter. This includes getting tests, treatment, and therapy. This is not the time to tough it out. If you put it off or skip any of the treatments, it will look like you weren’t that badly injured.
Your diagnosis and treatment can be used as compelling proof of your injuries. If you don’t comply with your doctor’s orders, it may damage your settlement claim. And remember to keep copies of all medical bills, including tests and prescriptions, additional treatment, and emergency room visits. This is a time when you can’t have too much documentation.
Stay Away from Social Media
Social media has reduced many personal injury settlements. In Florida, social media posts can be used as evidence in court cases. When you post photos and comments on sites such as Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, they can be found by anyone, and you can bet the defense attorneys will be looking. Even seemingly ordinary, uninteresting photographs may turn up as evidence against you in court. This cannot be stressed enough. Just stay off social media. Period.
Be Honest about Previous Accidents and Injuries
If you’ve been involved in a previous accident, suffered an injury, or have ongoing health issues, be honest about them. They won’t be an issue if you let your attorney know. This gives them a chance to proactively develop a response.
Old injuries may be completely healed, but the accident has aggravated the injury and made it worse. You are entitled to compensation for damages caused by the carelessness of another, even if they were not the cause of the original injury. If you are not upfront about any previous injuries, you may appear dishonest, and this can affect your credibility and reduce the value of your claim.
Be Honest about Your Injuries
Do not exaggerate or inflate your injuries in hopes of getting a bigger settlement. This is both fraudulent and against the law. And it often doesn’t work and is more likely to hurt your case. Be truthful at all times when making your insurance claim or giving testimony in court. If it comes out that you have made up or exaggerated your injuries, this information will be used against you and put doubt on your credibility in court.
Create a Good Impression
It never hurts to make a good impression. It could be that extra something that helps maximize your personal injury settlement. The first chance the insurance company or plaintiff’s lawyer has to interact with you will probably be at your deposition during the discovery process. In addition to finding out information about your case, the defense attorney will evaluate whether you will be a likable, sympathetic, and credible witness. If you make a good impression at the deposition, there is more of a chance that the defense will make a better settlement offer, and it could even be resolved out of court.
Have a Specific Amount in Mind
Value your claim fully and decide on a minimum amount you would like for your settlement. This is a starting point for your attorney. You can claim compensation for injuries and emotional damage. You may not be aware of all the types of losses you have. A personal injury attorney can help you determine the starting amount for your claim.
Don’t Accept Your First Offer
Don’t be surprised if the first offer is too low, this is normal. They are trying to see if you know what your claim is worth. And they are testing your patience. If the first offer is reasonable, you can make a counter demand that is close to your original demand, but slightly lower. This shows you are willing to work with them if they, too, are reasonable. Be sure to emphasize the strongest facts in your favor when you explain why the offer is inadequate.
Be Patient: Wait for a Response
Patience is your friend in these negotiations. Do not reduce your demand more than once until they come back with a new offer. It’s just bad bargaining practice. If they come back with more reasons to lower your settlement, go over each one. You will either get a reasonable offer, or you won’t. You may have to put more pressure on the insurance company or be prepared to go to court.
Bonus Tip: Get the Insurance Company to Set Up a High Reserve Account
The reserve account is the account the insurance company uses to pay your settlement. It is set up as soon as you file your claim. Insurance adjusters can update the amount in the reserve account as they learn more facts about your case, so give them the information they need. When you see your doctor, update them about your injuries and any needed medical procedures. Also, provide the insurance adjuster information about your job and any wage loss, so they know how much income you will have lost by the time you return to work.
Personal Injury Attorney in Pompano Beach, FL
If you or a loved one is looking for a personal injury attorney in Pompano Beach, FL, contact LJ Law Group as soon as possible. We’re ready to help you maximize your personal injury settlement so that you get the compensation you deserve.
More details about getting the right compensations for personal injuries you can also find at losangelespersonalinjuryattorneys.co.
