Having an accident which impacts on your life is stressful. When you are trying to cover medical costs and need to take time off work to recover, it is important that you know what your financial options are. Personal injury attorneys help people who have been through an accident and now seek recourse from the other person who caused it. Before you meet with a personal injury attorney, there are details you need to gather so the attorney can help you with your case. These posts are all about what accident and personal injury attorneys do, what they need from you, and the different situations where using one is beneficial to your lifestyle.
If you get injured in a car accident, you are entitled to compensation for your injuries. However, compensation varies based on various factors. Some people get a small settlement, and others get a huge settlement from the accident. Seemingly minor missteps can cost you your claim or leave you with a small settlement that won't adequately cover your injuries. Thus, if you want to maximize your claim, follow these steps after the accident.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
You need to seek medical attention immediately after a car accident. If you delay doing so, the insurance company may try to discredit your injuries. Thus, even if you have minor scrapes, see a doctor. The doctor should document all your injuries and conduct a series of examinations to ascertain your physical state. Also, pay attention to any emotional symptoms resulting from the injury. These include trauma, stress, and anxiety. Similarly, be wary of accident-related symptoms that surface days or weeks after a car crash.
The fewer and less severe the injuries you present, the smaller your settlement will be. Therefore, make sure you have evidence of all the physical, emotional, and psychological symptoms resulting from the accident. More injures mean more pain, and this translates into a larger settlement. A personal injury attorney can ensure that you don't get undercut during the claim.
Don't Admit Guilt or Mince Facts
One sure way of getting your claim thrown out is admitting fault after the accident or mincing your facts. Don't apologize to the other party or imply in any way that you were responsible for the crash. Even innocent actions, such as visiting the other affected party after the accident, can be interpreted as guilt. When giving your report, stick to the facts to avoid mincing your words.
Any contradiction in your narration of the events can signify lying, and this could significantly lower your settlement. If you are in shock after the accident, withhold your statement until you have a clear recollection of events.
Refuse Any Settlement Offers Without Your Lawyer
After your accident, the insurance adjuster or legal team of the other party may try to contact you for a settlement. If you don't have legal representation, they may try to use this opportunity to convince you to accept a lower settlement. Refuse any correspondences or offers from the other party without your lawyer. Don't talk to the insurance adjusters or insurance company either. For this reason, it is paramount for you to get in touch with a personal injury attorney immediately so they can handle communications between you and the other parties.
The settlement you receive for your injuries can be large or small, depending on the moves you make after the crash. To avoid costly mistakes, contact a personal injury attorney as soon as you can!
Share1 July 2020
