If you are hurt in some kind of accident caused by another person’s careless and negligent actions, personal injury law permits you to seek financial compensation. Whether you were in a car accident, boat accident, slip and fall, endured a botched surgery, or some other type of personal injury, you will want to recover the maximum amount possible.
In order to do this, you will need to take a few steps that can help you have a better chance of getting the most financial recovery for your personal injury settlement.
Collect as Much Evidence as Possible
After any type of personal injury accident, the evidence you have to support your claim can help reveal the full worth of your case. Most situations will benefit from having photos and videos that capture concrete evidence of the aftermath. If anyone witnessed these upsetting events, it is important to get their contact information and have them make a statement.
There may additionally be surveillance footage or even the clothes you were wearing at the time to help refute claims by the defendant that it was your fault. In addition to this type of evidence, all your medical bills and receipts as well as any financial costs you’ve incurred as a result of these injuries should all be submitted for evidence.
Get Medical Treatment and Follow All Medical Advice
Any type of personal injury accident has the potential for causing severe or life-threatening injuries. Even if you’re not in any imminent danger after being hurt, getting medical attention is a must. This should also be documented to prove you had injuries that required this treatment.
Some injuries may not present themselves immediately and can worsen without medical intervention. With these documented medical records, you’ll have another piece of crucial evidence that can help maximize your settlement amount.
According to The Law Offices Of Scott J. Senft, it is just as important to make sure that you attend all follow-up appointments with your doctors. Keeping up with your treatments will only help your settlement.
Work with a Personal Injury Attorney for Your Settlement
There is nothing carved in stone that dictates every personal injury victim must hire a lawyer. However, these professionals can increase the value of your case and help you avoid any potential mistakes that could reduce your payout.
With keen negotiation skills, a personal injury attorney knows how to work with the insurance companies and will not hesitate to take your case to court if the initial settlement doesn’t sufficiently cover your losses. Additionally, the laws of comparative negligence may mean that the insurance company tries to pin the blame on you for your injuries. When you have a personal injury attorney on your side, you will be less likely to be manipulated into getting less than you deserve.
Laws can and do change, and your personal injury lawyer will be fully aware of them. For example, Florida shortened its statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits from 4 years to 2 years, which means the sooner you get started on your lawsuit, the more likely you will be to get the maximum settlement amount.
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