If you are injured in an accident, you might be entitled to financial compensation from the at-fault party. Depending on the facts of your case, this could include money for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.
The value of your case is impacted by many factors, such as the severity of your injuries and the limits of the at-fault party’s insurance coverage. There are also things that you can do to increase the value of your personal injury claim. This includes seeking medical attention immediately, watching what you say on social media, and working with a seasoned Texas personal injury lawyer.
Based in San Antonio, Texas Law Guns, Injury and Accident Lawyers represent clients throughout Texas who have been hurt in all types of accidents. We offer free initial consultations and handle all cases on a contingency fee basis. Reach out to our law offices today to set up an appointment with a member of our legal team.
Ways to Increase Your Personal Injury Settlement
When it comes to the value of a personal injury settlement, there are some factors that are beyond your control. For example, one of the major factors that affect settlement value is the severity of your injuries. If you suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), your case will likely be worth more than a person who got cuts and bruises in an accident.
However, there are certain steps that you can take to increase the overall value of your personal injury settlement. Below, we have some tips on how to maximize your settlement.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
The first thing that you should do after any accident is to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you don’t think that you were badly injured, seeing a doctor is important. When you get evaluated, you will be able to get a diagnosis and start on a course of treatment. This can help you recover more fully from your injuries.
At the same time, getting medical treatment right after your car accident, slip and fall, or other type of accident will benefit your case. Essentially, you are establishing a link between the accident and your injuries. It creates a paper trail that can be used to support your claim for compensation.
Keep Notes of How Your Injuries Affect You
In a personal injury claim, you may be able to seek compensation for your direct financial losses (like property damage and medical bills) as well as your intangible losses, like pain and suffering. These kinds of damages can be harder to prove since you won’t get a bill or invoice for them.
However, there are things that you can do to help prove that you suffered these losses. This includes keeping a journal or taking notes to document how your injuries have affected you. For example, you might write that you are having a difficult day in terms of pain and can’t sit and work for longer than half an hour at a time because of it. This can be used as evidence to support your claim.
Stay Off of Social Media
Social media has become a big part of many people’s lives. It’s a great way to share information and connect with others. But if you’re in the middle of a personal injury claim, it can also present some dangers.
Throughout your case, you should avoid talking about the accident, your injuries, or anything else related to the claim on social media. You should also be careful to not post anything that could be used to discredit your claim (such as pictures of you taking a hike if your claim is for a knee injury). Insurance companies can and do check out social media for evidence, so avoid saying or posting anything online that could be used to undermine your case.
Consider All of Your Damages
In a personal injury case, you have the right to seek compensation for all of your losses. This includes both your financial losses as well as more indirect losses.
As you go through the process, think about the different ways that the accident has affected your life. This will help you put together a more comprehensive claim for damages with the help of your Texas personal injury law firm. This can include money for things such as:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Scarring
- Disfigurement
Your attorney can help you understand each type of damages available to you and put together a claim for compensation.
Gather Strong Evidence
The value of your case depends in large part on the strength of your evidence. You will have to prove that the other party caused the accident AND that you suffered losses as a result. With the help of a San Antonio personal injury lawyer, you can gather evidence such as:
- Accident reports;
- Witness statements;
- Medical records;
- Photos and videos;
- Estimates of property damage;
- Pay stubs and employment records; and
- Opinions from expert witnesses.
All of this evidence can be used to make your case and bolster your right to full compensation.
Don’t Accept a Lowball Settlement Offer
It is pretty common after an accident for an insurance adjuster to approach the victim and try to resolve the case. An adjuster might even make you a settlement offer. This might be tempting, particularly in a situation where you might be struggling financially. Before you sign any paperwork, give a statement, or agree to a settlement, you should always talk to a lawyer.
A settlement agreement will always include a provision that requires you to give up your right to sue. This means that if you discover that your injuries are more serious than you originally thought, you won’t be able to get more money. Accepting an early settlement offer often results in getting less money than you are entitled to under the law.
Recognize That It May Be Necessary to File a Lawsuit
The overwhelming majority of personal injury cases are resolved outside of court. That being said, it is often necessary to file a lawsuit to protect your legal rights (as explained below). Filing a lawsuit does not mean that your case will go to trial. Instead, it is a way to continue negotiations and learn more about the other side’s case, with the goal of getting a better settlement.
The thought of suing someone may be scary. However, it is often a necessary step to push the insurance company to offer a fair settlement. Our San Antonio personal injury attorneys will keep you updated about the progress of your case and what to expect.
Don’t Wait Too Long
In Texas, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is 2 years. That means that you generally have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If you don’t sue within that time frame, then you won’t be able to pursue legal action.
The statute of limitations sets a time limit on the amount of time that you have to file a claim. It is also a good idea to act sooner rather than later to make sure that the best evidence is still available. Over time, witness memories fade and evidence may be lost or destroyed. You should start the process sooner rather than later to maximize the value of your case.
Work with an Experienced Texas Personal Injury Law Firm
Perhaps the best thing that you can do to increase the value of your personal injury settlement is to hire a skilled San Antonio personal injury attorney to represent you. The simple fact is that insurance companies have teams of lawyers and adjusters working to protect their interests. They have one goal: to pay out as little as possible on your claim.
You can level the playing field by having your own experienced legal representation. Not only will your lawyer take on the big insurance company for you, but they will also handle all of the paperwork and bureaucracy that comes with pursuing legal action. In San Antonio, Texas Law Guns will fight for your right to maximum compensation.
Hurt in an Accident? Give Us a Call.
In the weeks and months following an accident, you might find yourself feeling stressed out and overwhelmed as you deal with doctor visits, lost wages, and more. It can be hard to focus on a personal injury claim when you are dealing with so much. Our law offices can help you with the legal process and get you the compensation that you deserve for your losses.
At Texas Law Guns, Injury and Accident Lawyers, we are fierce advocates for injury victims throughout Texas. We handle all types of personal injury cases, including pedestrian accidents, dog bites, and drunk driving accidents. We work hard to help our clients get the highest possible recovery for their losses. To learn more or to schedule a free initial consultation with a San Antonio personal injury attorney, give us a call at 866-922-2353 or fill out our online contact form.
Alexander Begum has tried over 50 trials to verdict and tried or settled over $500 million in cases. Alex is a founding shareholder of the Texas Law Gun, Injury and Accident Lawyers.