After you’ve sustained a serious injury in an accident that was caused by another person’s negligence, you must take legal action. Accidents often result in financial hardship for the accident victim and their family. Because of this, you must take certain steps that can help you maximize your personal injury settlement. At Child & Jackson Personal Injury Lawyers, our legal team has created this guide that explains what you can do to recover the fair compensation you deserve.
What Can I Do to Increase My Personal Injury Compensation?
There are several actions you can take to increase the value of your injury settlement, including:
Seek Immediate Medical Treatment
Seek immediate medical attention. Doing so can protect your health and prove the severity of your injuries, while directly tying your injuries to the accident. Documenting your injuries will be crucial and will show that the accident directly caused your injuries.
Do Not Agree to a Settlement
An insurance company will make a lowball settlement offer, hoping you’ll accept the money and simply go away. These initial settlement offers are never enough to cover the true cost of your accident-related losses. Don’t accept an insurance company’s settlement offer without first speaking with an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Save Copies Of Your Employment Records
Keep copies of your employment records, including statements from your employer regarding how your injuries have affected your ability to work, the number of hours you’re able to work, the amount of wages you have missed out on due to your injuries, and copies of your pay stubs. This will help you recover compensation for lost wages.
Don’t Trust the Claims Adjuster
A claims adjuster may seem friendly and helpful, but they are not on your side. Trusting the insurance company can be the biggest mistake you make. They will use anything you say against you to reduce how much money they payout or to deny your claim. Instead of speaking to the insurance company, hire a personal injury lawyer. At Child & Jackson, our personal injury attorneys will handle all communication with the insurance company to protect your claim and your legal rights.
Avoid Social Media
A claims adjuster or a defense attorney may be watching your social media accounts, looking for any evidence that you were at fault for the accident or that your injuries are not as severe as you claim they are. Avoid posting about your accident or injuries on social media. Additionally, it’s also important not to post photos involving you participating in activities that you shouldn’t be doing, such as working out at the gym or hiking.
Make it to Every Doctor’s Appointment
It’s important to make it to every doctor’s appointment, physical therapy appointment, occupational therapy appointment, etc. You must also follow your doctor’s treatment instructions closely, which can mean not lifting anything heavier than five pounds, staying off your feet, or not returning to work. If you start skipping doctor’s appointments or you fail to follow your doctor’s treatment instructions, this can give the insurance company the ammo they need to claim your injuries are not serious.
Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
Hiring a personal injury lawyer at Child & Jackson can significantly increase your chances of recovering the compensation you deserve. Your attorney will know how to accurately calculate damages, investigate your accident, gather evidence, and fight for the fair settlement you’re owed.
Contact Us Today
If you were injured in an accident that was caused by the negligence of another, you may be entitled to compensation. At Child & Jackson Personal Injury Lawyers, our legal team offers free legal consultations. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer on our legal team and learn how they can help you recover the fair settlement you’re owed for an accident that was not your fault.
