Car accidents can lead to serious personal injuries, vehicle damage, property damage, and mental trauma. If you are a car accident victim, you should seek a maximum settlement claim with the assistance of an experienced attorney specializing in such cases. You can read more to learn how an attorney can help you get the most out of your car accident claim. For tips to maximize your car accident settlement claim, please continue reading.
Document the Accident
One of the first things you need to do to make the most of our car accident settlement claim is to gather evidence from the accident. This can include photos of the damage to your vehicle, accident site, and property damage. You might consider getting a police report, as any solid evidence can help prove that the accident was not your fault.
Write down details of the accident, including pain and suffering and other negative impacts on your physical and mental health. You are not required to share any records or evidence with the opposing party. They might use the evidence against you.
If there are any witnesses to the car accident, ask them if they will be willing to be a witness to the case and gather their contact information. Here is more guidance on what to do after a car accident.
Get Medical Attention
You should seek full medical attention due to any injuries you incurred in the car accident. Tell the doctor about any pain or discomfort you are feeling and don’t hesitate to get precautionary scans done to check the severity of your injuries. The impact of car accidents can be serious and long-lasting, so make sure you get a full medical assessment to ensure you know all the medical costs you might incur in the short-term and long-term.
You should also attend all follow-up appointments after your initial medical assessment. Documenting all the medical attention you receive can help strengthen your car accident settlement claim.
Keep in mind that a car accident can flood your body with adrenaline, which can reduce pain temporarily. It is common for car accident victims to feel pain a few hours or 1-2 days after the accident. So don’t rule out going to the doctor even if you feel fine at the time of the accident.
Calculate the Real Value of your Claim
Remember that you might be entitled to more than just money in your car accident settlement claim. This includes damage to the vehicle, lost wages and medical expenses, loss of future earnings, and pain and suffering. All these can accumulate to add significant value to your claim.
You should also consider asking for a specific amount of money in your claim. Your attorney should be able to guide you on the appropriate amount to claim. The more evidence and reasoning you have for your specific amount, the greater the likelihood of getting your desired amount.
Don’t Wait Too Long To File a Settlement Claim
Ideally, you don’t want to wait too long to file a claim. In most cases, there is a statute of limitations that requires the car accident lawsuit to be filed or settled within a specific time frame from the date of the accident. Although you should not waste time filing a claim, it is best to be patient after the filing. Most lawyers recommend that you don’t accept the first settlement offer, as it is usually unfairly low.