Personal injury victims are eligible for settlements or compensation in all states, including Michigan. Victims can claim monetary compensation to cover their medical bills, pain, lost wages, and other costs. Unfortunately, obtaining maximum compensation from personal injury claims is challenging, as the at-fault party’s insurance company may deny the blame or offer low settlement amounts.
Legal processes are generally tedious and overwhelming, especially if you seek compensation for injuries caused by another person. However, working with Clare, MI, personal injury lawyers and knowing various factors determining your claim’s value is essential. Having a professional helping hand can help.
Here, we have listed some tips by experienced personal injury lawyers that can help you maximize your compensation claims:
1. Seek immediate medical care
Most personal injury victims don’t realize the importance of seeking medical care immediately after the accident. Apart from ascertaining your general health and well-being, medical care significantly affects the outcome of your personal injury case in many ways. For starters, calculating the value of your settlement primarily starts with determining the severity of your injuries and recovery period.
Your injuries can heal or worsen if you wait longer before seeking medical care. So, victims of personal injuries should see a doctor or approved medical care provider immediately after the accident, even if they don’t feel anything. Symptoms of some injuries appear after days or weeks. Waiting longer makes it difficult for the doctor to diagnose accurately and determine if the injuries resulted from the incident.
2. Hire an experienced personal injury lawyer
Consulting an experienced personal injury attorney increases your chances of winning the case and receiving fair compensation. A personal injury lawyer with years of experience in handling personal injury cases can maximize your settlement offer by:
- Proving negligence and financial liability of the defendant – you should prove the defendant’s liability to receive compensation. Most insurance companies avoid personal injury claims by denying negligence or recklessness of the insured party. A personal injury lawyer will help you prove the negligence and financial liabilities of the party at fault.
- Negotiate with the insurance company – most personal injury cases are solved through out-of-court settlements. Unfortunately, insurance companies are often uncompromising and stubborn during negotiations. They intentionally offer low payment amounts to preserve their profits. Personal injury lawyers are trained negotiators and can help you receive a better settlement offer.
3. Gather and preserve evidence
You should have enough evidence to prove the defendant’s liability. Unfortunately, most people forget to collect evidence of the accident scene, probably due to shock and adrenaline from the incident. You should collect all the accident details if your injuries aren’t severe.
Important evidence includes pictures of the scene and your injuries, witness statements, official police reports, and medical records. Having strong evidence against the defendant gives you bargaining power.
4. Don’t sign away your rights
Insurance companies and adjusters are notorious for convincing victims to accept lowball offers immediately after the incident. Unfortunately, most victims sign away their rights unknowingly. For starters, you shouldn’t communicate or negotiate with the insurance company directly. Let your personal injury attorney handle the communication.
Secondly, you should make agreements with insurance companies carefully. They can easily manipulate you into signing away your rights to demand compensation later, even if they admit fault. Therefore, even if you agree to a settlement offer, ensure that you understand the agreement’s details. You should read through the clauses, note the payment terms, and other specifics.
5. Value your claim correctly
The value of most personal injury claims is limitless. Your settlement offer practically depends on how you value injuries and property damage. Most people receive low offers because they limit their claims to immediate or short-term injuries. However, you can maximize your claim by considering future damages. For instance, you should include the costs of long-term care if your injuries will require medical care for several years.
The Bottom Line
Getting the most out of your personal injury claim can be challenging, especially if you have to negotiate with stubborn insurance adjusters. However, having these tips can help you increase your settlement amount. Similarly, you should avoid simple mistakes, such as lying or sharing too much on social media, as they can reduce or void your compensation.