If you’ve been hurt in an accident someone else caused, you may have the right to recover compensation from them in a personal injury claim. Here are some specific strategies that can increase your likelihood of winning your case.
Know Your Rights
A successful personal injury claim begins with understanding your legal rights to financial compensation and how to assert them. A personal injury lawyer can advise you on your options for holding other parties liable for your injuries and losses. An attorney can also inform you about the applicable statute of limitations and other deadlines for filing your personal injury claims.
Document Everything
You should begin documenting everything related to the accident, including your injuries and your insurance or legal claims. Gather copies of your medical records, bills/invoices/receipts of your recovery expenses, and pay stubs/income statements to document your lost earnings. Keep any correspondence from insurance companies and take notes of your conversations with adjusters.
Seek Prompt Medical Attention
Getting immediate medical attention after an accident can strengthen your case by linking your injuries to the accident. If you wait to seek treatment for your injuries, an insurance company or the opposing party in your case may argue that your injuries did not occur due to the accident or you did not suffer injuries as severe as you’ve claimed.
Preserve Evidence
Preserve copies of any evidence you gather about the accident, including photos/videos you took at the accident scene, copies of accident/incident reports, and copies of surveillance, dashcam, or cell phone camera footage. Keep any eyewitness contact information you may have gathered. The more evidence you can gather, the stronger your claim is likely to be – and the quicker it’s likely to be resolved.
Communicate Honestly, Clearly, and Minimally
You should limit your conversations about the accident, your injuries, and your insurance/legal claims. Decline to provide insurance adjusters a written or recorded statement, as the adjusters may try to twist what you say to use against you. Instead, you can have your attorney communicate with the insurance companies. That said, you should always stay honest with your attorney when discussing the accident and your injuries. If you fabricate or exaggerate when speaking with your attorney, your attorney does not have an accurate picture of your case and cannot provide appropriate advice. Remaining honest throughout your case will bolster your credibility.
Understand the Value of Your Claim
Understanding the extent of your ongoing and future anticipated financial and personal losses can help you successfully negotiate a fair settlement of your personal injury claim. Some of the factors that may influence the value of your claim include:
- The type and severity of your injuries
- The duration of your medical recovery and the types of treatment/rehabilitation you need
- Whether you become temporarily or permanently disabled from your job or other kinds of work
- The number of other victims of the accident and the number of potentially liable parties
- Whether you share any responsibility for causing the accident
- The extent of available insurance coverage or other financial resources of the liable parties
An attorney can help you calculate your past and future expenses or losses to identify a fair settlement or full verdict in your case.
Get Experienced Legal Counsel
Finally, hiring a personal injury attorney can improve your likelihood of recovering compensation from an at-fault party or insurance company. An experienced lawyer can effectively pursue your legal options and fight to recover the full amount you’re owed. An attorney can also guide you through the legal process, especially if you need to file a lawsuit.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Today for Help with Your Claim
If you’ve been hurt in an accident caused by another party’s negligence or fault, seeking experienced legal counsel can give you the best chance of winning your personal injury claim. Contact Hunt Law Firm today for a free initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal options for obtaining financial recovery for your losses.