Over 63 million people sustained varying degrees of injuries from personal injury accidents in 2022, while over 200,000 people died from them. . These figures are alarming, and without a proactive step, it doesn’t appear to improve. The United States court data also shows that personal injury claims have skyrocketed by 97 percent.
“Although financial compensation can’t replace your pain and suffering from an accident, it is essential to pursue the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses. It’s the only meaningful way to hold irresponsible parties accountable.
But don’t expect the at-fault party or their insurance company to readily agree to your request,” says personal injury attorney Rob Usry of Holland & Usry, P.A..
This piece discusses five crucial steps a personal injury victim must take to receive maximum compensation:
Table of Contents
Carefully Document Your Injuries and Damages
Evidence is very important if you want to receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses. You must convincingly explain or demonstrate how the accident has affected you. Therefore, you need to comprehensively document your harm, medical costs, pain and suffering, lost earnings, and other associated damages.
You must never trivialize any aspect of the incident. That is why you must keep a detailed record of hospital and doctor visits. Keep your medical notes and costs safe.
You must also document the medical equipment and medications you bought. You will also need your pay stubs and employer records to prove the times you missed work. Take note of the modifications your home had to undergo due to the accident.
Similarly, you must document how the injuries affect you daily, including your pain, suffering, and discomfort levels. Graphic evidence is also invaluable. Take photographs of physical injuries and the healing process. With sufficient proof, you stand a better chance of receiving fair compensation.
You Need to Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
Approaching a personal injury claim without a legal professional is not advisable. Personal injury law is complex and difficult for laypersons to understand.
You increase your chance of a fair outcome when you engage a reputable personal injury attorney. They are familiar with cases like yours and know the best time to strike. They also know how to gather evidence, protect your rights, negotiate with insurers, and file a lawsuit when the other party is unyielding.
You also need an attorney’s skill to establish liability. They will analyze your case to determine its appropriate value. Thus, working with an attorney will prevent the other party from shortchanging you.
Most times, insurance adjusters urge personal injury victims into negotiations without an attorney. It helps the insurance company shortchange an inexperienced victim. When you fall into this trap, you will eventually blame yourself. Working with an attorney is flexible and smart.
Best of all, you pay no money to hire a personal injury attorney. The fee is called a “contingency fee,” making the lawyer invested in the success of your case.They will only receive a pre-agreed percentage of your settlement
. If your case fails, you will not pay anything.
Follow Doctor’s Orders
While trying to gather evidence against the at-fault party, don’t give them opportunities to undermine your claim. You must strictly adhere to your physician’s treatment plan. If you fail to go for follow-up checks, the at-fault party will argue that your injuries are not as severe as you portray them.
You must prioritize completing your treatment. You must also attain maximum medical improvement before agreeing to a settlement. This will help you know the accurate worth of your claim. Once you receive a settlement, you cannot return to make further requests.
Avoid the Temptation of Recorded Statements
Insurance adjusters will deploy various tricks to lure you into uttering the wrong statement. They want you to shoot yourself in the foot so they can record the statement and use it against you during negotiations.
Insurance adjusters will call you immediately after an accident to get recorded statements when the details of the incident are still blurry. Never speak with an adjuster until you have the go-ahead of your lawyer.
They want you to make an unintentional claim that will affect your case. However, allowing your lawyer to deal with them will save you from this slippery situation.
Be Real with Your Demands
Negotiations are the most critical and challenging part of your case. You’ve got to handle them with a high degree of skill or risk losing out.Although you deserve and should seek maximum compensation for your case, you must not over-shoot your chances. Your demands should be realistic and fair to hasten the process. Since your attorney is familiar with similar cases, they can advise you on the worth of your case.
When you demand a reasonable amount, you increase your potential for a satisfactory outcome. However, if you see the process as a means of self-enrichment, it will stay negotiations and eventually backfire.
Final Thoughts
You must act proactively by contacting a local personal injury attorney after an accident. You must also visit a healthcare facility immediately and preserve evidence. Allowing your lawyer to handle the legal battle will increase your chances of receiving maximum compensation.
