How to Increase Settlement Value
Personal injury cases can be challenging to navigate, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the legal system or the intricacies of insurance negotiations. When pursuing a personal injury case, the ultimate goal is to receive fair compensation for the damages you have suffered due to the accident. The value of your settlement will depend on various factors, including the severity of your injuries, the extent of your property damage, and the liability of the other party. However, there are steps that you can take to increase the settlement value of your personal injury case.
Seek Medical Attention
One of the most important steps in increasing the settlement value of your personal injury case is to seek medical attention for your injuries. Even if you do not feel like you have been seriously injured, getting checked out by a medical professional is essential. Some injuries, such as whiplash or traumatic brain injuries, may not be immediately apparent but can have severe long-term consequences. Therefore, seeking medical attention as soon as possible after an accident can ensure that you receive any necessary treatment and avoid potential health complications.
Document Your Damages
Documenting your damages is crucial to increasing the settlement value of your personal injury case. It is important to remember that the other party’s insurance company will not simply take your word for the value of your damages. You must provide evidence of the costs you incurred due to the accident, including medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage.
Keeping all your receipts and bills related to the accident and documentation of lost wages from work is an essential way to ensure you have a record of your damages. Photos of any property damage and injuries can also be valuable in documenting your damages.
By documenting your damages, you provide concrete evidence of the costs incurred due to the accident. This can be used to negotiate a fair settlement with the other party’s insurance company. It can also be used in court, if necessary, to establish the value of your damages and pursue compensation.
Hire an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
An attorney can be a critical step in figuring out how to increase personal injury settlement. They can do this in several ways. Here are some of how an attorney can help:
- Investigation and Evidence Gathering: An experienced attorney will thoroughly investigate the accident and gather all the evidence needed to support your case. This may include eyewitness accounts, accident scene analysis, medical records, and other relevant documents. By gathering this evidence, your attorney can establish the liability of the other party and the full extent of your damages, which can increase the settlement value of your case.
- Negotiation with Insurance Companies: Insurance companies are notorious for trying to settle cases for as little as possible. An experienced attorney can negotiate with the other party’s insurance company to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages. By understanding the value of your case, your attorney can help you determine what a fair settlement should be and work to achieve that goal.
- Representing You in Court: If the insurance company is unwilling to offer a fair settlement, your attorney can represent you. Going to court can be lengthy and expensive, but it may be necessary to receive the compensation you deserve. An attorney can help you prepare for trial, represent you in court, and work to secure the maximum amount of compensation possible.
- Identifying All Potentially Liable Parties: In some cases, more than one party may be responsible for the accident and resulting damages. This may include the driver of another vehicle, the vehicle manufacturer, or a third party responsible for maintaining the road. An attorney can help you identify all potentially liable parties and pursue compensation from each to maximize your settlement value.
- Understanding the Law: Personal injury law can be complex and varies by state. An attorney can help you understand the legal system and the laws that apply to your case. By understanding the law, you can make informed decisions about your case and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
An attorney can be vital in how to get more money from a personal injury claim. They can conduct an investigation, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, represent you in court, identify all potentially liable parties, and help you understand the law. If you have been injured in an accident, contact an experienced personal injury attorney today to discuss your legal options.
Be Patient
You must be patient during the settlement process to increase the settlement value of your personal injury case. The other party’s insurance company may try to settle the case quickly and for less than the case’s actual value to avoid a lengthy legal battle. However, settling too quickly may result in less compensation than you deserve.
By being patient and working with your attorney, you can ensure you receive a fair settlement reflecting the full extent of your damages. It takes time to gather all the necessary evidence, evaluate your injuries and damages, and negotiate with the other party’s insurance company to reach a fair settlement. Rushing the process can lead to incomplete evidence, which may undervalue your injuries and damage claims.
Moreover, the extent of your damages may not be immediately apparent, and it may take time to understand the full extent of your injuries and their long-term effects. For example, injuries such as whiplash or traumatic brain injuries may not present symptoms immediately after the accident but may cause long-term pain and disability.
Be Prepared to Go to Trial
Being prepared to go to trial is essential in increasing the settlement value of your personal injury case because it shows the other party and their insurance company that you are willing to fight for fair compensation for your injuries and damages. When the other party sees that you are willing to take the case to trial, they may be more willing to offer a fair settlement to avoid the uncertainty and expense of a trial.
Moreover, insurance companies may not always offer a fair settlement amount immediately. They may try to offer a low settlement so you will accept it and avoid a lengthy legal battle. In such cases, being prepared to go to trial can be an essential tool for increasing the settlement value of your case.
By being prepared to go to trial, you also demonstrate to the other party that you will invest the time and resources needed to pursue a fair settlement or verdict. This can make them more willing to negotiate a settlement and increase your case’s value.
Identify All Potentially Liable Parties
It is important to identify all potentially liable parties in a personal injury case because doing so can increase the settlement value of your case. By identifying all liable parties, you can pursue compensation from each of them, increasing your total compensation.
For example, suppose you were involved in a car accident caused by a drunk driver who ran a red light. In that case, the driver would be the most obvious liable party. However, other liable parties may also be, such as the bar serving the driver alcohol or the manufacturer of a defective part in the driver’s car. By identifying all potentially liable parties, your attorney can pursue compensation from each of them, increasing the settlement value of your case.
Identifying all potentially liable parties can also be critical in cases where the primarily liable party does not have sufficient insurance coverage or assets to pay for all of your damages. In that case, additional liable parties can be pursued to ensure you receive total compensation for your injuries and damages.
Consider Long-Term Damages
When calculating the settlement value of your personal injury case, it is essential to consider the long-term damages you may experience due to the accident. For example, if you have sustained a permanent injury affecting your ability to work or perform daily activities, you may be entitled to compensation for future lost wages or medical expenses. Your attorney can help you determine the long-term damages associated with your injuries and pursue compensation accordingly.
Get More Money From a Personal Injury Claim
Increasing the settlement value of your personal injury case requires time, effort, and the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney. By seeking medical attention, documenting your damages, hiring an attorney, being patient, and being prepared to go to trial, you can maximize the value of your personal injury settlement and receive the compensation you deserve. If you have been injured in an accident, contact an experienced personal injury attorney today to discuss your legal options.
Understanding how to increase settlement value does not have to be something you do alone. At Berman & Simmons, we have more than 100 years of working with clients to increase settlement value. Victims turn to us for help because they know we always have their best interests in mind and that we will not rest until they receive a satisfactory resolution to their case.