How To Make The Most Out Of Your Personal Injury Settlement
In a personal injury claim, it’s crucial to do whatever it takes to maximize the compensation you’ll gain. Regardless of the type of injury a person sustains, having adequate compensation is the key to achieving full recovery. Always remember that if a person ends up with injuries due to the negligence or carelessness of another, they have the right to file for compensation.
The process of filing a personal injury settlement can be complex and lengthy. If you want a good head start and a positive outcome, working with an experienced personal injury lawyer is worth considering. If you decide to hire one, it’s crucial to know the years of experience, success rate, and lawyer settlement rates, to name a few.
Once you have a personal injury lawyer by your side, it can give you peace of mind. Aside from the guidance from your lawyer, there are also several considerations to keep in mind to make the most out of your personal injury settlement.
Preserve And Secure All The Evidence
If your case requires going to court to settle the claim, the outcome will be decided on by a judge or jury. In this scenario, the judge or jury will scrutinize all the evidence gathered during your case.
Make it a priority to preserve all the evidence you hold. It’s one of the best ways to maximize the chances of a fair settlement. When you lack evidence or end up falsifying information in court, it harms the outcome.
You need to preserve all available evidence until you receive compensation. For example, if you have physical copies of medical or police reports, receipts, photos, and other supporting documents, store them in a safe location.
Also, label all the evidence with the accident’s date, time, and location. Don’t alter or tamper with the evidence to avoid making it inadmissible in court. If you’re unsure how to preserve evidence, contact an experienced attorney for assistance.
By following these steps, you can preserve and secure your evidence, giving you the best chance of winning your personal injury claim.
Know The True Value Of Your Claim
The amount of damages you can present has a wide coverage ranging from loss of bodily function to emotional damages. Nowadays, undergoing treatment in recovery programs can be costly, especially if you have to use personal funds.
If you want to maximize your settlement, consult a legal professional. A lawyer will assess the categories of damages that apply to your case, so you have an idea of the value of your claim.
Generally, your legal representative will examine many factors to determine the actual value of your claim. For example, the more severe the injuries, the higher the settlement amount is likely to be.
This is especially true in incidents like scaffolding accidents which can lead to severe injuries and even death. In this case, having a scaffolding accidents attorney would be beneficial since they specialize in handling such cases.
In addition to the severity of the injuries, other essential factors include the extent of economic and non-economic losses sustained, the other party’s fault, and the laws of the state where the case was filed.
Seek Immediate Medical Care
If you want a good outcome for your case, it means receiving a fair settlement for your injuries and other losses. One way to achieve this is by obtaining an accurate overview of all the damages. With this in mind, seeking immediate treatment after a car accident or workplace incident is crucial so that healthcare professionals can document and formulate a treatment plan. The health-related documentation will urge the other party to offer a higher settlement. This is especially true if the medical records prove that the injuries directly resulted from the accident caused by someone else’s negligent actions.
Moreover, even if you feel fine after the accident or are uncertain of the extent of your injuries, it’s important to seek medical treatment to know for sure. If the doctor recommends a treatment plan, follow it to ensure you’ll receive fair compensation. Otherwise, the other party’s insurance company may try to claim that your injuries were not severe or caused by something other than the accident. Having medical records can help refute their claims.
Take A Break From Social Media
If you want the best outcome for your settlement, taking some time off social media is best. If you blatantly share posts or comments on social media, the other party’s lawyer or claims adjusters may use the information against your claim.
The claims adjusters probe for evidence on social media platforms to lower the compensation amount you can claim. With this in mind, avoid posting anything related to your case on social media. Furthermore, if you’re filing for damages that led to devastating injuries and what you post on social media says otherwise, it can potentially ruin your case.
Everyone can see what you’re doing on social media. If you’re not careful with what you post, it can negatively impact your settlement case.
Declare A Specific Compensation Amount
When making your claim, you need to decide on a specific amount. Stating an indefinite amount may not be a good decision. In such cases, it’s best to consult your personal injury lawyer to determine the right amount.
A skilled car accident lawyer, for instance, can deftly produce generous yet reasonable calculations based on the following factors:
- The severity of your injuries
- The extent of your financial losses
- The impact of your injuries on your quality of life
- The fault of the other party
In some cases, you may also be able to recover compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other non-economic losses.
Here are some of the common ways to calculate compensation after an accident:
- Special damages: These are your out-of-pocket expenses, such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. These damages are typically easy to calculate and prove.
- General damages: These are non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. These damages are more subjective and difficult to calculate.
- Multiplier: A multiplier is a number that is used to increase the amount of general damages. The multiplier will vary depending on the severity of your injuries and the circumstances of your case.
It is important to remember that the amount of compensation you receive will also depend on the outcome of your case. If you are able to settle your case with the insurance company, the amount of compensation you receive will likely be less than if you go to trial and win your case.
Generally, you can utilize your medical records plus documentation of all damages to your vehicle to prove the amount you have in mind. The better the outcome will be when you can support the amount you need.
Decline The Initial Offer
Most insurance adjusters initiate the negotiation process by presenting a very low compensation amount. The approach is a technique in which the adjuster aims to find out if you know the value of your claim and how patient you are.
Your reaction to the initial offer will depend on whether it’s reasonable but too low or overly low. If you find the offer appropriate, your lawyer can present a counteroffer slightly lower than what you indicated in the demand letter. Doing so shows the adjuster that you maintain a reasonable mindset and are willing to compromise.
Usually, your lawyer will handle the negotiations by emphasizing the most substantial points in your favor until both parties reach a fair settlement amount.
Final Thoughts
Filing a personal injury case can be a protracted process depending on the nature of your case. Luckily, if you want to gain fair compensation for all the damages, it’s possible with these pointers. Make the right decisions and consider these measures to ensure a good outcome for your case.