Being the victim of a car accident that was not your fault is a traumatic experience, with damages ranging from mild to severe. If you or a loved one were injured in an auto accident due to the negligence of another there are a few things that you should do to maximize your compensation for your claim. If you are left to deal with a lifetime of pain from any type of injury, whether it be back pain or debilitating headaches, you deserve compensation to the fullest extent of the law.
In wrongful death cases, while nothing can bring back your loved one, a financial recovery allows you to focus on what really matters, physical and mental recovery. If you’ve been the victim of a car accident, please follow these tips to maximize your settlement.
1) Document All Details from the Accident
Document as much as you can about the accident while it is still fresh in your mind. You should always write down the name of the other driver, the make and model of their car, license plate number and get their auto insurance information.
Even if you don’t think you incurred an injury you should obtain a police report and get checked out medically. A police report may be the best line of defense in case you need ongoing medical care or your case goes to trial.
2) Seek Medical Care Immediately
Do not wait to seek medical attention, even if you think you may just have a sprain, a strain, a sore neck or some bruising that you think will clear up quickly. Seek medical attention immediately as injuries from a car accident may not appear right away due to the adrenaline increase at the time of accident and the way that soft tissue injuries may worsen over time. Be sure to obtain and keep all of your medical records from each visit.
3) Follow Doctor’s Orders
Be sure to follow the advice of your physicians if they tell you to rest or attend physical therapy or rehabilitation appointments. Taking care of yourself is important and following the advice of your physicians only strengthens your case by proving your due diligence to recover from your injuries.
4) Document All Missed Work and Earning Losses
Keep track of all missed work for every doctor appointment or hospitalizations. If the accident caused you to miss out on overtime, promotions or additional earning potential be sure to document any future earning losses as well.
5) Be Honest About Personal and Emotional Trauma
Seek counseling for any emotional trauma or for dealing with grief and loss. Victims of car accidents that deal with chronic pain often feel depressed due to living in a constant state of pain. Seek help from a therapist with experience in treating patients of chronic pain if you are experiencing constant pain or depression.
6) Do Not Talk to the Insurance Company of the At Fault Driver
Do not have any conversations with the insurance company of the at-fault driver until you speak with a car accident lawyer who has your best interest at heart. The other party’s insurance carrier has one goal, to minimize their claim. They may record your conversation and try to use it against you at a later time to reduce your claim.
7) Hire a Car Accident Attorney
Hire a car accident attorney with experience in personal injury and automobile accidents. Your personal injury lawyer will give you the best advice in how to maximize any settlement from an auto injury claim.
We hope that you never have to experience pain and suffering from an automobile accident. If you’ve been injured due to the negligence of another, you deserve full compensation.
Schiff & Associates is a personal injury law firm with experience in helping our clients get the results they deserve from automobile accident injuries and wrongful death cases. We offer a team of specialists who help to evaluate your injuries, long term consequences, loss of income and potential income. Contact us to speak with a personal injury lawyer who has your best interest at heart, to get the results you deserve with the maximum settlement amount allowed under the law.
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