If you are injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for the harm you’ve suffered. Fortunately, you and your Cherry Hill personal injury lawyer can take steps to maximize the value of your claim, including:
Report the Accident
After your injury, immediately report the accident to authorities. This will help create an official record of the accident, which can be useful if the insurance company tries to deny the event ever occurred.
Seek Immediate Medical Treatment
It’s essential that you seek medical treatment immediately after an accident. Doing so helps connect the accident and your injuries. Also, any delay in your treatment could indicate you are not serious about your health or allow the insurance company to question whether the accident actually caused your injuries.
Gather Strong Evidence
As the plaintiff in a personal injury case, you have a duty to prove each element of your claim. You and your personal injury lawyer can gather strong evidence to support your claim, such as:
- Accident reports
- Medical records
- Witness statements
- Photos or videos of the accident scene
- Employment records
- Business records
- Estimates to repair your damaged property
In some cases, a personal injury lawyer may hire an expert witness to further bolster your claim.
Include All of Your Damages with Your Claim
You have the right to request compensation for the losses you’ve suffered due to someone else’s negligence. Keep records of the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Costs to repair or replace your vehicle or other damaged personal property
- Out-of-pocket expenses you’ve incurred, such as alternative transportation costs
If you suffered a permanent disability, hiring an economic or vocational expert who can estimate the value of your reduced earning capacity may be necessary.
Document Your Pain and Suffering
In addition to your economic damages, you have the right to seek compensation for your non-economic damages, which may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Psychological trauma
- Mental anguish
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Reduced quality of life
- Impaired relationships with loved ones
Keep a journal of your daily pain, suffering, and other impacts caused by the accident.
Be Patient
While it’s understandable you’re anxious to receive your personal injury settlement check to help pay off medical bills and other expenses, avoid rushing your claim. Insurance companies know many personal injury victims are vulnerable and use this to offer unjustifiably low settlements. An experienced personal injury lawyer can take the necessary time to develop a strong claim. You want your settlement to fairly compensate you because once you accept it, there’s no going back to the negotiating table.
Be Careful What You Say
The insurance company will be actively looking for ways to devalue your claim. They may interview neighbors, colleagues, or other individuals. They may stalk your social media pages for any mention of the accident. Keep your confidential communications with your lawyer private, and otherwise be careful what you say about the accident to anyone – in person or online.
Hire an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer
You are already going through a lot right now. You don’t need the added stress of trying to figure out the complex legal process on top of all that. An experienced lawyer from Aronberg, Kouser, Snyder & Lindemann, P.A. can help maximize the value of your claim. Contact us today for a free case review.
