Injured in an Auto Accident? 5 Tips to Maximize Your Compensation
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you must establish that someone else is at fault for your physical injuries and mental anguish to get a higher settlement from insurance companies or the responsible party. However, many victims accept fast offers from insurance carriers, who are in the business to maximize profits. Explore the tips below to maximize your compensation after an auto accident.
1. Gather Evidence
An auto accident is disorienting, but collecting evidence as soon as possible is vital. Accident photos that include the scene, car damage, and skid mark photos are excellent illustrations to show who is at fault.
The camera on your phone is adequate to take close-ups of the accident location and at further angles to demonstrate the collision points. Also, show the location of stop signs and traffic lights, and weather conditions.
Accident pictures are crucial in personal injury litigation because they can disprove another person's claims. For instance, the other driver may assert that they did not see you approach, but your photos may show that they had a clear view for several hundred feet.
It is imperative that you ask the other driver for their driver’s license, auto insurance card and vehicle registration so that you can later successfully identify the at-fault party, the vehicle they were driving, and the insurance policy connected to that vehicle. If it's a hit-and-run, get the car's plate number and contact the police instead of chasing the driver. In addition, obtain the names and contact information of neutral witnesses to the collision, like other drivers and pedestrians.
2. Get Medical Assistance Immediately
If you call a dispatcher after the accident, let them know every physical injury you have, even seemingly minute details like dizziness. Often, severe injuries like brain damage may take a few days to manifest, so don't ignore follow-up treatment even if you feel fine.
Keep a record of everything you feel after the accident and gather all documents related to your treatment, such as ambulance receipts, lab and test results, physical therapy records, prescription records, and consultations.
3. Be Careful on Social Media
Insurance monitors and defending lawyers may crawl through your social media posts to try and sink your case. People commonly overshare on social media, and seemingly innocent details may hamstring your efforts to recover maximum damages.
For instance, you may post photos of yourself engaging in a sport or intense activity after you claim that your doctor disapproved of vigorous activity. You may also narrate the accident to friends and family and implicate yourself in your account. The best strategy is to limit social media activity for the duration of your personal injury case.
4. Hire a Lawyer
Many victims who get inadequate compensation don't know all their rights or the types of damages they qualify for. A reputable lawyer with extensive experience gets you the most out of your personal injury case and protects your interests.
Additionally, the attorney negotiates with insurers, gathers evidence to show the other party's liability, and investigates your case. The right lawyer has many recorded wins in the past and practical knowledge in handling cases like yours.
5. Don't Rush
You will likely accept lowball offers if you are in a hurry to get a check in your hands. An accident's aftermath brings about many unexpected costs, but you get a better settlement if you are patient.
Typically, insurance adjusters offer quick settlements that don't compensate for the full extent of your economic and non-economic losses. Remember, the insurer wants to pay as little compensation as possible. So don't sign documents you don't understand and let your lawyer lead the negotiations. You should also wait until you recover to start negotiating with insurers, as some post-accident injuries take a while to become apparent.
In a personal injury case, the opposing side usually offers a low settlement that doesn't compensate you adequately for physical injuries, pain, and suffering. Contact us at Walsh & Associates to get the maximum compensation you are owed.