Curious about how to get the most money for a car accident personal injury claim? This article lays out some practical advice.
It’s no secret that the insurance companies are in it for the money. When you are hurt in a car accident because of someone else’s actions—whether those actions are negligent or deliberate—you should not have to worry about whether you can pay for medical treatment.
The fact of the matter is, however, that many people lose out on critical damages that they could use to pay for their recovery. They also miss out on paying for future expenses incurred due to their physical, emotional, and monetary injuries.
If you want to learn how to get the most money from a car accident injury claim, these seven tips are an excellent place to start researching.
How Do I Maximize My Car Accident Settlement?
Stay at the Scene of the Accident
Under Florida law, it is a criminal offense to leave the scene of an accident where injuries, property damage, or death occur. Your first step should be to call 911. Always report the scene of any accident that you are involved in, wait until the police arrive, and provide information about the incident. Don’t leave until they tell you it’s okay to do so. The police need time to gather evidence, document the scene, and ask questions.
Gather and Preserve Evidence
When learning how to get the most money for a car accident, remember that the minutes and hours following a car accident are critical for building your case. If possible, take pictures or videos of the accident from as many possible vantage points of the accident scene right away. Remember to speak to any witnesses to secure their accounts. Take down their names and contact information so that you can contact them if you need their testimony. This can help you rectify any possible errors on the official crash report.
When you are gathering evidence, be sure not to interfere with the work of first responders. Take as many pictures as possible, not only of the damage to your car but of the other vehicles involved in the crash and the surrounding areas. You never know what types of critical evidence may show up in your photos.
Seek More Photo or Video Evidence
If you have been involved in a car accident or other incident, look for video footage that may have been caught by traffic or security cameras. Examine the location where the incident occurred to locate any available footage. Notify someone who can preserve the footage before it gets deleted, if possible.
Write Down Contact Information as Soon as Possible
If someone commits a hit and run, and you are unable to obtain their information, you might not be able to receive additional damages beyond what your own insurance coverage can provide. That’s why you should take down any names, contact information, and vehicle details as soon as possible. If an offender leaves directly after causing an accident, you might be able to talk to witnesses and obtain vehicle details that way.
A reminder: When gathering information, don’t speak to others about any fault for the accident or admit to having contributed to the incident. No matter how innocent the statement might seem, insurance companies and lawyers can use your words against you.
Seek Medical Attention and Assess the Full Extent of Your Injuries
The more severe the injury, the more compensation you may be entitled to receive. As soon as possible, schedule a visit to a doctor to get any necessary tests done. Your medical records will be used to determine how much compensation you may be entitled to receive.
When you are involved in a less severe car accident, you may choose to go home without medical treatment. However, this is usually a grave mistake. Ambulances are typically reserved for higher-risk cases, which means some people might not get the treatment they need unless they call an ambulance themselves. If you are feeling very dizzy or lightheaded after the accident, it’s wise to check yourself into a hospital as soon as possible.
The entire lawsuit process in a car accident case relies on proving the accident caused your injuries. Medical documentation of your injuries is needed to prove evidence in an injury lawsuit. You should be aware that not all injuries are apparent right away. Listen to your body and seek care if you think something is wrong.
Many types of life-threatening injuries in a car accident do not show symptoms until hours or days after the collision. If you go untreated, it can be hard or impossible to substantiate the connection between the crash and your injury. A medical professional should be contacted immediately after any type of traffic collision to protect your health and legal rights.
Talk to an attorney about how to get the most money from a car accident personal injury claim. Contact us today.
Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company
No matter who caused the crash, it’s important to report the accident to your insurance company. By reporting the car accident, you can ensure that your car damage is documented and your injuries are noted. Failure to report the accident could result in a cancellation of your auto insurance or loss of other legal rights.
Try to Avoid Jumping at the First Offer You Receive
Personal injury cases take time, sometimes years, so don’t limit the damages you might be entitled to by taking a lowball offer.
The first offer you receive from the insurance company is most likely way below what is required for your treatment and other damages. Be patient. If you can afford to wait for a better offer or seek damages through litigation, do it.
Learn How to Get the Most Money for a Car Accident
You should not try to handle your case by yourself. Hiring an attorney to represent your interests is the best thing you can do to increase your settlement amount.
Contact Pacin Levine Attorneys at Law today to schedule a consultation.
Are you ready to pursue your case? Contact us today and set up an appointment to speak to an attorney. Call us at 1-800-24-7-CRASH or write to us at [email protected].
