Have you been in a car accident? It is a difficult time because you need to deal with any injuries, fixing or replacing your car and potential loss of income. This is a burden that can be overwhelming, but you need to recoup as much as possible from the accident to put your life back together and stay financially afloat.
You deserve to get as much damage rewarded as possible, but it can be tough if you don’t know what to do. Fortunately, there are several strategies to help you out.
This is how to get the most money from a car accident.
Document Everything
When looking for a fair settlement from a car accident, the details are important. Insurance companies don’t want to pay out claims, and if they do, it is usually a lowball offer. To get the most money, you need as much information gathered about the accident as possible.
This includes:
- Location
- Time of day
- Weather conditions
- Damage to all vehicles
- Witness testimonies
- Anything said by the other driver
- Injuries you sustained
- Police report
Once you go to the hospital, keep all receipts, prescriptions and booking appointments for rehabilitation or treatments. All of this is vital for fighting your case and proving the extent of your injuries.
See a Lawyer
It can be tough to manage all that is needed to get done when dealing with an accident claim, and your main focus needs to be on recovery. It is far better to get legal assistance to be compensated fully. A qualified personal injury lawyer knows how the system works and understands how to get the most money on your behalf.
You have to pay them a certain percentage of your claim, but you will still come out with more because of the amount they can secure. A lawyer will be there to give you advice, speak on your behalf to all opposing parties and even represent you in court if necessary.
Report Your Pain
If there is no record of the injuries and resulting pain you have experienced, you may not get fair compensation. You must see a doctor right after the accident, even if you think you are fine.
Tell your doctor all of your problems and everywhere it hurts, as they are good at documenting patient information. Beyond the direct injuries and resulting pain, tell them about your state of mind and if you have anxiety or stress from the crash. This includes your ability to resume daily life and if you are having problems sleeping.
You should also keep a diary of any pain and discomfort and make it detailed so you can show it to your doctor. Pain and suffering, along with loss of enjoyment of life, are big factors in fighting for a claim, so report every issue arising from the accident.
Go to All Appointments
To get as much compensation as possible, you need to pay not only for your injuries but also your willingness to follow treatment plans. If you stay at home and skip rehab, an insurance company may try to prove that your injuries are not as severe as you stated and will lower the compensation they offer.
Go to every scheduled doctor’s visit and book others if you need help. If you have appointments with physiotherapy or other types of rehabilitation, attend every one as this not only can help with your injuries, it shows your willingness and desire to get better.
Follow Your Doctor’s Advice
This, too, is important for your settlement and potential court case. Your doctor wants you to get better after your accident and may advise that you take time off work or restrict your activities while recovering.
Follow this advice to a tee. Some insurance companies use investigators who visit those involved in car accident cases to get pictures and videos of them while outside their homes. If they catch you moving around or working and you later claim that your injury prevented this, it will severely damage your case.
Not following doctors’ orders may also show that your injuries result from going to work early, and you can be held responsible for a slower recovery or lingering problems.
Be Patient
A car accident can affect your ability to work, and sometimes you can struggle financially. Insurance companies know this and often make lowball offers with the hope that you take them because you are desperate.
They also want you to accept a payout fast before you have time to seek legal counsel and save on paying out all you owe. Resist this if you can and ask for help from family to keep you afloat while waiting. The bitter truth is you will only get one payout, but your injuries will be with you for life. Make sure you are adequately compensated for this potential prolonged pain and suffering.
This is how to get the most money from a car accident. Follow all these steps, and you will have the best chance of a large payout to take care of your immediate and future needs.
