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How to Maximize Your Personal Injury Settlement in California

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Attorneys always tell you that they will fight for you to get top dollar after you have been injured in an accident that was someone else’s fault. What you do in the days after your accident could help determine how much money you get. Here are four ways to maximize your own personal injury settlement after you have been injured in an accident.

See a Doctor Right After Your Injury

In your personal injury case, everything depends on your own diagnosis and prognosis. Your medical records are the basis for almost every element of your personal injury damages, including:

  • How much you are owed for your medical costs
  • How much medical care you will need in the future
  • The amount of time that you will miss from work
  • The extent of your pain and suffering damages (based on what you have endured and will endure)

You have the burden of proof to demonstrate your damages the same as you have to show liability. You must have everything down on paper to persuade an insurance company or a jury that you deserve the money.

The longer you wait to see a doctor, the more of an opening you give the insurance company to challenge your damages. They may say that you made your own condition worse by delaying your trip to the doctor or failing to follow their recommendation. The sooner that you get everything on paper, the stronger your case for damages is.

Document Your Claim to the Fullest Extent Possible

 

Along with medical records, you may also need other evidence to substantiate your claim. Of course, you will need strong proof of liability to show the insurance company that you have a legal right to compensation.

Beyond that, you also want to demonstrate what you have lost because the defendant has a legal obligation to put you in the same position as the one you were in before the accident.

You can help your claim by compiling other evidence that could show your damages, including:

  • Evidence of what your life was like before the accident
  • Data about your earnings at work and your potential future earnings based on your career path
  • A log of your daily experiences since you have been injured that be evidence of your pain and suffering
  • Statements from people who know you about what they have seen you going through since the accident

The insurance company is always going to try to take “you” out of the equation if it means that they can get away with paying you less. They do not want to know about you because it could cost them more money. It is up to you to provide proof of your own individual situation.

Hire an Attorney Right After Your Accident

The insurance company is going to see an easy target in front of them if you try to file a claim on your own. They view self-represented claimants as the proverbial “fish in a barrel.” They take advantage of you in every way that they can. They could either deny your claim entirely if they believe that you have not submitted enough evidence to prove it, or they could take advantage of you when it comes to offering you money.

There are cases where liability may be as clear as day, but the insurance company still will not pay you what they deserve. They count on you not knowing how much money your case is worth, and they expect you to be grateful for whatever crumbs they throw your way.

When you hire an attorney, they will start by evaluating your claim to come up with your own estimate of your damages. Then, they will handle the negotiations with the insurance company.

 

Claimants who have hired a lawyer end up doing far better financially than those who try to represent themselves.

You should not delay hiring an attorney. The longer you go without getting a lawyer, the more vulnerable you are to having your legal rights trampled on by an insurance company.

Hold Out for What You Deserve in a Settlement

You do not have to accept offers made to you by the insurance company. They are not a jury who has power over you, nor do they have control over your legal rights. They are simply trying to settle the case because they slide into the shoes of their policyholders based on their own contractual obligations.

When you file a personal injury claim, you have every right to say no when an offer does not fully and fairly compensate you for your accident injuries. A personal injury settlement is the end result of a negotiation, and it is not a dictation by the insurance company. You have a say in what happens too. In the end, you would come to an agreement that represents the amount of money that the insurance company is willing to pay and that you are willing to accept. If you cannot come to an agreement, you can file a lawsuit against the responsible party in court.

The insurance company usually does not want to end up in court because it will cost them more money. You can use that fact as leverage in settlement negotiations. The insurance company is often afraid to go to court.

Contact a Los Angeles County Personal Injury Lawyer Today

When you need a tenacious and tough attorney to fight for you to get as much money as possible in your personal injury case, you should hire the attorneys at the Arshakyan Law Firm. We have a track record of delivering results for clients who place their future in our hands. To schedule a free consultation with one of our dedicated lawyers, you can reach out to us online or call us today at (888) 851-5005. You do not need to pay us anything upfront - only if you win your case.

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