7 Tips for Recovering the Most Money on Your Personal Injury Case

Personal injury can affect your life in many ways. The physical, emotional, and financial impact of your injury is often the determining factor in whether you are going to file a personal injury claim.

Once you decide you have a personal injury case worth pursuing, your main focus should be doing your part to maximize your potential compensation. Because, in most cases, adequate compensation is necessary to ensure a full recovery.

The steps you take after an injury occurs can help you make the most of your claim. Clients who are educated on what is important if an injury occurs are more likely to recover the most money from their personal injury case.

So, what steps should you take following an injury? And, what can you do to further maximize your potential compensation? These tips can help you make the most of your personal injury claim and allow you to focus on the road to a full recovery. Because, regardless of the severity of your case, everyone deserves the opportunity of a full recovery void of financial strain.

1.    Preserve Any Evidence Available

Evidence carries the most weight when it comes to personal injury claims. Your case will be decided by looking at the evidence available. Therefore, the more you do to preserve the evidence, the better your outcome will be.

In personal injury claims, the burden of proof falls on the plaintiff. That means it is your responsibility to prove the effects of your injury. Begin preserving evidence as soon as the accident happens. Do not rely on others to be there for you when your case is tried.

Some ways to preserve personal injury case evidence are:

• Take photographs of the accident scene, defective products, or visible injuries. Even though you will seek medical attention if the injury is physical, you should have a record of your own pictures of cuts, bruises, or swelling.
• Record the location of the accident, including crossroads, landmarks, or other location information.
• Write down as much information as possible as soon as you are able. Jotting down notes while everything is fresh in your mind is extremely important. You can never have too much information. And, you never know what details may be important.
• Gather contact information for any witnesses involved. If there is someone who may know the relevant information in regards to the accident, do your best to get their contact information. Witness are very key to many types of personal injury claims.
• Report the incident. If you are injured at work, make sure your supervisor writes a report. If you are involved in an auto accident, contact the police. Whatever way you report your injury, be sure to get a copy of the report for your own files.
• Make note of any video or photo surveillance. If there are cameras in the area where your accident occurred, request a copy of the images or video. Or, get in touch with our team who can help you secure the evidence needed to help you get the maximum recovery.

It is important to realize that businesses, property owners, and insurance companies are trained to build their defense immediately after an accident occurs. You will need to build your claim in the same manner.

2.    Seek Medical Attention

Medical treatment is one of the factors used to determine the value of your personal injury claim. Your doctors will document your injuries and formulate a treatment plan. Even if you are unsure of the extent of your injuries, only a medical professional can properly analyze them.

Medical professionals are trained to properly document your injuries, make sure you are honest and tell them about everything that bothers you. Your doctor may be asked to testify on your behalf, so their notes are critical to your claim.

If your doctor determines a treatment plan is necessary to allow for a full recovery from your injuries, it is important to follow their plan precisely. Follow all doctors’ orders. This includes having any recommended tests performed, following the suggested treatment plan, and attending any therapy or follow-up appointments.

Foregoing recommended treatment can have a negative impact on your personal injury claim.

3.    Stay Off of Social Media

Social media has destroyed many personal injury claims. The statement about everything you say will be held against you in a court of law is absolutely true. This goes for anything you post on social media as well. If you claim a personal injury and your social media paints a different picture, this information will be used against you.

Believe it or not, many defense attorneys watch claimants social media profiles to gather information they can use against them. The best practice to stay safe when you have a personal injury claim is to just stay off social media altogether.

4.    Be Honest

Avoid exaggeration when reporting details. False testimony will easily ruin your case. Even if you are not lying, exaggerating your injuries can ruin your credibility. In most cases, defense attorneys hire private investigators. So, if you say your injuries have prevented you from playing sports and a private investigator takes pictures of you playing basketball in your front yard, you will lose your case completely. Not only can false statements hurt your claim, it’s against the law to make false reports. Honesty is the best policy when it comes to personal injury claims.

5.    Consider Future Damages

Many personal injuries bring future losses in addition to immediate losses. It is important to consider future recovery when negotiating a settlement amount. You may not have made a full recovery at the time when your case goes to trial.

Future damages should be considered part of your claim. In some cases, future damages make up the majority of the losses. Talk to your medical professionals to help you document the potential future losses to be included in your claim.

Our team fights to make sure you receive the right amount of compensation for your future damages.

6.    Be Patient

Your personal injury settlement will only come once. So, while you may be eager to jump to a settlement, it’s important to be patient. Most personal injury claimants forget that they only get one payment, especially when bills from their injury are piling up. But, accepting the first offer can prevent you from getting the most money for your personal injury case.

Quick payment for your pain and suffering may be tempting, but rejecting the first couple of offers is sometimes the key to getting the maximum potential settlement.

Plus, it is usually best to wait until you reach what is called maximum medical improvement, or MMI. This means that you are not going to get any better physically, regardless of treatment. And, by this time, we are able to account for your medical bills from the past and any future bills that may come as a result of future treatment.

7.    Find an Experience Personal Injury Attorney

If you are seriously injured at the fault of someone else, it is important to carefully select an attorney to represent you. Hiring a personal injury attorney can have a significant impact on the outcome of your case. Find an attorney you feel comfortable with and feel you can trust. Talk to them about the experience they have and the skills specific to your type of case.

A qualified attorney will help you build your case, communicate with the defense, and reach a fair settlement that leans towards your best interest. The right attorney has the expertise to present you and your case in the best way possible. They can also navigate the legal system and give you the advice needed to make the most of your claim.

While no one wants to deal with serious injury, it is an unfortunate part of life for some of us. If you have a personal injury claim, it is important you maximize your potential settlement money. It will allow you to focus on your full recovery and be compensated at a value you deserve.

Get in touch with our team today to see how we can help you get the maximum settlement for your injuries.