These 8 Things Can Maximize Your Car Accident Settlement
After a car accident, many people tend to feel overwhelmed, frustrated and confused. Suddenly, many things need to be done and certain things must be taken care of. Thankfully, an experienced personal injury attorney knows that protocol and has the keys to maximize your car accident settlement. Read on to discover our 8 top tips to ensure you are fully compensated for your case.
Collect As Much Evidence As Possible
Starting from the moment the accident takes place, begin by taking lots of pictures and videos. You should take photos of the accident scene and your immediate injuries. Also, get a copy of the police report as soon as possible. Ultimately, the jury is the one you need to cater to, as they evaluate your case by looking at all the evidence. That being said, the more evidence you collect and preserve, the more value in your case.
Consult Your Personal Injury Attorney
One of the most important steps is hiring a knowledgeable personal injury attorney. Doing so as soon as you can after the accident makes a huge impact on your case. Their experience and understanding of what needs to be done to prove your case is something that can make a huge impact. In fact, there have been many studies confirming those with a lawyer win more than those who go without. Of course, you are free to decide how much and when to settle your case, but legal advice always helps you decide. Also, note that you should be completely honest and transparent with your attorney! Doing so guarantees that you get the greatest result and overall potential outcome for your case.
Accessing Medical Treatment And Appraising Your Case
Medical treatment is necessary, even if your injuries appear to be minor. As to be expected, doctors and other health care professionals must document any injuries and piece together a treatment plan. When your provider formulates a treatment plan, sticking to that plan is your priority. Whether it be physical or manual therapy, injections, or even surgery, your doctor knows best. In fact, proper records often inspire higher settlements as there is much information to support your case.
Hold Your Claim To Its Highest Value
Be sure that you aren’t limiting yourself! Many types of damages exist that you may suffer from due to your injury. Most people aren’t aware of all of the potential losses possible. Don’t assume that you’re limited to any one type of damage. Loss of regular bodily functions, psychological damages, and even lost wages can also be claimed. The qualified personal injury attorneys at Martindale Law Group can identify these losses as well as argue your case’s worth. Whenever an inadequate settlement offer is made, your attorney will respond with information and documentation to reinforce the demand. When you have information to support a rejection, it shows you are devoted and serious about getting a proper settlement.
Practice Patience To Yield Better Results
Following your car accident, it’s common to expect a check right away. However, impatience can actually hurt you in the long run. Oftentimes, the insurer’s initial offer is low. So accepting it straight away prevents you from getting the maximum car accident settlement you want. The very best attorneys know better than to agree to the first offer. The key is to make the other side think that you’re willing to wait as long as it takes to get your correct compensation. It is not uncommon to deny the first, second, or even third offer. It’s important to work with an attorney for an expert opinion about whether to accept or decline a settlement offer.
Factor in the Future Damages
Everything that happens after an accident has both immediate and long-term impacts. The truth is, some injuries won’t fully heal. Some injuries even remain throughout the rest of one’s life. A seasoned attorney makes considerations for future treatment and outcomes when negotiating your maximum settlement. Sometimes the projected damages comprise a majority of your case. You need to work with medical professionals to document these losses and include them in your claim.
Be Mindful of Time
The best attorneys also keep a schedule and adhere to deadlines. Once an accident takes place, the clock starts ticking on your case – something known as the “statute of limitations” here in Florida. It’s important to note that this recently has changed from five years to two years. This makes it critical to present your case as soon as possible to avoid risking time. When the time does run out and the statute of limitations expires, your chances to recover anything go out the window. When you file your case, it also opens the door to collecting evidence formally. This process helps to preserve the evidence necessary to build your case. When you act in a timely manner with efficiency, this moves the case through the courts as quickly as possible.
Social Media Awareness
If you know anything about the law, the Miranda Rights would likely be at the top of your knowledge. Many of us are at least familiar with the saying “everything you say can and will be held against you in a court of law.” This also applies to pictures, comments, and private messages on social media platforms. When one builds a case upon devastating injuries, but your social media page shows you behaving differently – it can ruin your case. Remember, besides your friends, the defense is most likely watching! Another tried and true practice is to avoid talking about your case until the settlement is finalized!
The Martindale Law Group Can Help Maximize Your Car Accident Settlement
The esteemed personal injury attorneys at the Martindale Law Group know how to maximize your settlement. In addition to adhering to the 8 tips above, our office operates with honesty, integrity, and experience. Should your case go to trial, our attorneys present you and your case with confidence and expertise. Our promise is to help you navigate Florida’s legal landscape and get you the maximum settlement.
The Martindale Law Group
Our personal injury and litigation attorneys help accident victims file claims to recover damages for many types of clients. Some that we specialize in are auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, aircraft accidents, boating accidents, sexual abuse, and brain and spinal cord injuries. Additionally, we provide legal services to the residents of Florida who receive unfair treatment from their insurance companies. It does not matter whether an insurance claim has been denied, delayed, or mishandled. We help our clients obtain the insurance coverage they need to repair their property from fire, water, or storm damage. Commercial litigation services to plaintiffs and defendants are also available for those involved in business and commercial transactions or disputes.