A few things need to play out well in order to receive a substantial compensation in a personal injury case. From leveraging the strength of your legal representation to proper documentation, every strategy contributes positively to a desired outcome before a jury or judge.
This article has summarized a few strategies to incorporate in the pursuit of your next personal injury settlement.
Document Everything Incident-Related
You start preparing to win your personal injury case immediately the accident happens. As such, you will need to document as much of the occurrences as you possibly can.
Apart from taking the photos and videos at the accident scene, ensure you collect the names and contact information of any witnesses. Afterwards, ensure you obtain your copy of the police report.
Proper documentation is the backbone of a strong evidence, and will go a long way in supporting your claim.
In addition to the preliminary documentations, it is paramount to keep record of all the medical records and bills. A clear and detailed medical report provide substantial evidence of the effect of the accident on your health and finances.
Seeking Immediate and Comprehensive Medical Attention
Proper assessment and treatment are not only important for your health, but for your personal injuries case too.
You need to have the right medical costs captured in order to arrive at the right settlement value. Ensure you consider all the follow-up clinics costs, and any other medical cost you might incur in future in relation to the injuries sustained in the accident event under review.
Understanding the Full Extent of the Claim
In order to get the most from your personal injury claim, you need to be fully aware of the full extent of the damages.
Although it is easy to quantify economic damages such as medical expenses and lost wages, it is quite challenging quantifying the non-economic ones such as the endured paid and suffering. In this case, an experienced Michigan personal injury attorney who will not only advise on the pain aspects to include, but also on how to justify the claims.
Avoid the First Settlement Offer
Most insurance companies will try to move fast for a quick settlement. Often, these offers are much less compared to what your claim is really worth. Accepting the first offer might mean settling for less than you are owed.
A qualified attorney will help assess the settlement offer to ascertain whether it is fair and reasonable. The attorney will negotiate on your behalf, pushing the insurance company to consider a settlement that reflects the full extent of the damages.
Maintain High Level of Effective Communication with Insurers
You need to establish clear and concise communication with the assigned insurance adjuster. Ensure that you service the adjuster with the necessary evidence and documentation for your claim, including all records and witness statements.
It is paramount to effectively communicate your expectations on the claim as that will show how confident you are with your case.
Consider Future Damages
Sometimes it is easy to be blinded by the insurer’s settlement offer and forgetting about the future damages you might have to incur. Some injuries have a very long rehabilitation period, and you need to consider that in your claim.
In order to get the right picture on the medical journey ahead, it is highly advisable to consult a qualified medical professional. This way, you will be able to budget for any medical cost down the road.
Be Cautious of Your Social Media Activity
In today’s digital age, you need to be extremely careful of what you post on your social pages especially if you are in the middle a personal injury case.
It is not unlikely to make a post with information that contradicts your injury claims.
To be on the safe side, ensure that you have reviewed all the necessary social media platform’s security settings on top of your posting abstinence. This way, you will leave no room for your opposing parties to use your social media presence against you.
Conclusion
A personal injury claim process is one that needs patience and persistence. You will need an adequately skilled attorney to help you navigate all the handles that both the law system and the defendant’s team throw at you.