By Marcus Fernandez
If you choose to file a personal injury claim, there are certain ways to help you maximize the amount of compensation you can receive. While there’s no guarantee that you’ll get full compensation for your injuries in any case, there are some steps you can take to increase your chances of securing a favorable outcome.
1. Seek Immediate Medical Treatment
Seeking medical treatment prevents serious complications from developing. It aids in a full recovery, but it’s also crucial if you want to build a successful personal injury case. Receiving professional medical care can help paint a more accurate picture of your injuries. Proper documentation of your injuries could also lead to a higher settlement, depending on the extent of the injuries and the nature of the accident.
Even if your injuries seem minor, they could develop into more serious issues. So, it’s always important to seek treatment to get a professional’s opinion. Also, you may receive treatment that involves therapy to improve your mental health.
2. Gather as Much Evidence as You Can
One of the biggest factors in a personal injury case is the evidence available. Regardless of whether the case remains out of court or goes to trial. You’ll be able to increase your chances of winning if you have plenty of evidence in your favor.
Some evidence could include medical reports and bills, police reports, witness testimonies, and photos of the accident scene. You may be able to work with an attorney to help gather and organize the evidence to build your case.
3. Don’t Accept the First Offer
If you’re involved in a personal injury case, you may be eager to receive compensation as soon as possible. But you could lose out on full compensation if you accept the first offer. If you want to maximize the amount of compensation you can recover in your case, it’s often best to let the liable party know that you will do what’s needed to get the best possible offer. If you’re unsure whether it’s a good idea to reject or accept an offer, consult with an attorney who can provide some guidance.
4. Discuss Your Reason for Rejecting the Offer
It’s not enough to simply reject the first, second, or even third offer in an attempt to get a better settlement. You’ll also need to convince the claims adjuster that your case is worth more than the offer. Make sure you explain why the offer is insufficient, with documentation and other evidence supporting your argument.
5. Determine the Total Value of Your Claim
Many people believe that their case is limited to a specific kind of damage, but there are multiple types of damages. In some cases, the injured party isn’t even fully aware of all of the damages and losses incurred.
In addition to medical expenses and lost wages, you may also be able to recover compensation for mental and emotional pain and suffering, along with loss of personal property. If you want to accurately estimate how much your case is actually worth, an attorney can help you determine all of the damages pertaining to your case.
6. Develop a Strong Case
Even if you don’t plan on taking your case to trial, you can work to maximize the full compensation if you take the time to build your case. Depending on the complexity, there can be many steps involved in preparing a case. Gathering documentation, requesting records, serving discovery demands, and interviewing witnesses. All of which your attorney may help with throughout the case.
You will be able to avoid a lot of headaches and uncertainty if you have a strong case to present in the event of a trial. Conversely, if you fail to build a strong case this could hinder your chances of reaching a fair settlement. This is because the other party sees that you’re unprepared and has less fear of repercussions.
7. Take Future Damages Into Account
Damages resulting from a personal injury can have a long-term impact on your life. While it’s ideal to file a claim or lawsuit only once you’ve fully recovered from your injuries, there’s a chance you may not have fully recovered when it becomes time to begin the process. You can consider how future damages may affect the case, and include them in your claim in some cases. Medical professionals can provide more information and documentation around any potential future damages.
8. Avoid Social Media
In the digital era, another aspect to worry about is how you come across on social media. Even a seemingly innocuous statement that you make on Facebook could serve as evidence against you in a personal injury case. For example, if you claim that your injuries are debilitating and serious, a selfie taken and posted on your profile showing that your injury isn’t affecting your physical capabilities can be detrimental to your argument.
Oftentimes you’re better off staying away from social media altogether until the case is resolved.
9. Remain Professional and Respectful
Claims adjusters often make settlements based on their predictions of jury perceptions at a trial. If you come across poorly to the adjuster, you could also lead a jury to make unfavorable decisions if the case were to go to trial.
Do what you can to maintain a level of formality and respect throughout the claims process, which can go a long way in helping you achieve the full compensation outcome you want.
10. File as Soon as Possible
You should file a personal injury claim as early as possible following an injury. Every personal injury case has a specific statute of limitations, and you may not be able to reach the settlement you want if the filing period passes.
Also, the sooner you take action, the more easily you can gather evidence that holds up in your case. Moving faster also shows the opposing party that you’re taking the case seriously and are planning on seeking the compensation you deserve.
Work with an Attorney to Handle Your Case
In addition to taking these steps on your own, you may benefit from professional legal help. For some assistance with building a strong case and seeking the maximum amount of potential compensation, consult with a qualified and reputable personal injury attorney. A reliable lawyer will help you navigate the process and further assist with securing the best possible outcome for your case.
