Increasing Personal Injury Settlement Amounts
Whenever negotiating settlements with insurance companies, the personal injury settlement can be increased by presenting accurate evidence and establishing liability. The attorney you hire will estimate total value while taking into account lost wages, pain and suffering, property damages, medical expenses, and much more.
One of the most important things to remember is that you should keep all the documents that are relevant to the personal injury case. Basically, you need evidence.
Maximizing Personal Injury Settlements
What you do right after the accident will determine a large part of the compensation you receive. This is why you have to always remember what your legal options are, together with the actions you have to take to increase the settlement.
Obtaining maximum compensation can be done in several ways. However, according to a Washington DC amputation injury lawyer, the most common things to do are:
- Immediately seek proper medical treatment.
- Collect all evidence.
- Preserve all evidence.
- File the injury claim as soon as you can.
- Always go for the full claim value.
- Never accept the very first offer you are given without the attorney reviewing it.
- Make sure to include future, current, and past damages.
Obviously, one of the most important parts of the process is to get help from the personal injury lawyer. The attorney is going to guide you through all legalities and you can easily avoid all the common pitfalls of filing the injury claim. They can give you advice for public relations, communication, the way in which you should act, and so much more.
The Damages You Can Claim
In order to increase the settlement, the attorney always wants to include absolutely all damages. This can include things like:
- Medical Costs
This usually makes up most of the injury claim. You have to obtain absolutely all medical invoices, receipts, and reports so that the expenses can be calculated.
- Lost Work Income
It is always possible you miss work as you recover. The lost pay and the lost benefits should be included in the settlement.
- Noneconomic Damages
These include loss of consortium and pain and suffering. With pain and suffering, you can have various cases, ranging from PTSD to severe physical discomfort. Even counseling can be included.
Negotiating The Settlement
The big part of the personal injury lawsuit or claim is to discuss details with insurance companies. When you have zero legal experience, the insurer can easily end up denying the claim. Also, it is very difficult to navigate the legal system since it is very complex.
Sooner or later, the insurance company is going to offer you a settlement. Usually, it is much lower than it should be and does not reflect the real damages you suffered. The attorney you hire is going to be your advocate. They are going to discuss the case with the insurance adjuster and will offer the legal leverage you need to get the best possible settlement.
Final Thoughts
The most important thing to remember about personal injury claims is that negotiating is all about leverage. The easiest way to obtain more is to hire a good attorney, one with experience.