There are few things worse than an injury that is not your fault, which gets in the way of your ability to carry out your day-to-day responsibilities and hold a regular job. Whether it was from a car accident, an injury on the job, or a sudden medical condition, if you have been injured, you deserve fair compensation. Getting the personal injury settlement that you deserve can feel like an impossible task, especially if your injury has left you in a compromised position for your future work prospects.
Here are eight steps to help you maximize the value of your personal injury settlement so that you can get the compensation you deserve to get on with your life!
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
The first thing you must do to maximize the value of a personal injury settlement is to seek medical attention immediately after your injury. In court, to get your personal injury claim, you will have to prove the extent of your injuries and that the accident in question was the cause of these medical injuries. Go to the doctor as soon as the injury has taken place and get clear documentation on the extent of your injury so you can prove that the incident in question caused it.
Call a Personal Injury Attorney as Soon as You Can After your Injury
The next thing that you have to do to maximize the value of your personal injury settlement is to call a personal injury attorney as soon as you can after your injury. A personal injury attorney has dedicated their career to understanding your rights under the law as an injury victim and can help to get you the largest settlement possible. The earlier you get a personal injury attorney involved, the sooner your case can be handled, and the sooner you can get expert advice from your lawyer about the best way to proceed.
Do a Background Search on the At-Fault Party
The next thing that you should do to maximize the value of a personal injury settlement is to do a background search on the at-fault party. A background search will give you the information you need to sue the person or business who injured you. You need to have information about other legal issues that they may have faced or be facing, as well as where their assets are located so that you can go after them in your settlement. Often, perpetrators will try to shield their assets, and a background check can help you find these hidden assets and bring them to light so that you get the compensation you deserve.
Take Detailed Notes During Doctor Visits and Hospital Visits
It is also crucially important that you take detailed notes during doctor and hospital visits. You should try to take pictures and save every document you get from medical personnel regarding your injury. This will help you take care of yourself and help you heal while also gathering evidence of the impact the injury has had on you and the severity of the injury. The more evidence you have, the better, and evidence from medical professionals carries a lot of weight in court.
Collect and Preserve All Evidence
It is crucial that you collect and preserve all evidence of the accident and your injury to maximize your personal injury claim and settlement. The more proof you have, the more likely it is that the court will agree with you, and the harder it will be for the at-fault party to try and get out of paying you fairly for damages. Collect the evidence. You will need it.
Thoroughly Evaluate Past, Current, and Future Losses
Now comes a difficult step for many people: you have to evaluate the past, current, and future losses caused by the injury. Document the financial, emotional, and other burdens that the injury has placed on you, is placing on you, and will place on you. This includes lost wages, expected medical expenses, and other damages. As much as you can, think of every single way that the injury may impact you. The more impact the injury has on your life, the more you will probably get in your injury claim settlement.
Do Not Accept the First Offer Without Review
You must also be sure that you never accept the first settlement offer without reviewing it first. Sometimes these first offers come with legal clauses that limit your rights in the future and are often lower in value than you could get through negotiation. They will want to settle outside of court with you, most likely, as it is often cheaper for them to do so. Be sure you aren’t letting them off the hook too easily. A personal injury attorney can look over your offers and make sure that there is nothing missing and that nothing is there that shouldn’t be.
Stay Off Social Media!
And the final piece of advice for you to help you get the most from your personal injury settlement is to stay off social media for a while. Discussing your case and situation publicly on social media can and will be used against you in court. It is always best to stay off of social media, or if not, at least don’t post anything about your injury or case.
You must get the largest settlement possible for your personal injury claim. The settlement that you get will be what allows you to heal and move forward with your life in a productive way. It is not your fault you were injured, so why should you be the one paying for it?
Conclusion
Follow these eight tips to get the biggest settlement possible. If you have been injured, contact Lee Law Offices today to schedule a review of your case!
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