After an accident involving a careless individual, you have a lot of responsibilities to shoulder. Managing daily tasks, in addition to caring for your injuries and your family, and paying your mounting medical expenses and other bills, can feel impossible. Recovering maximum compensation and holding the careless person accountable for their actions may be at the bottom of your list, not because you don’t care, but because you have so many other things to worry about. How to increase a personal injury settlement?
One of the most vital things you can do to protect yourself is to learn how to maximize your personal injury settlement in a Florida accident case. Money can’t solve all your problems, but it can stabilize your financial situation, help you pay your medical bills, and cover your lost wages and other losses. It can also compensate you for the significant quality of life changes you may face after a devastating accident.
Maximizing your personal injury settlements starts with understanding the tactics used to get you to settle for less than what you deserve and learning the steps you should take to get the money you deserve.
Why Settlements Vary So Much in Personal Injury Cases
One of the things that makes Florida personal injury cases so confusing for accident victims is the variability in settlement amounts. There is no “average” settlement. A settlement’s value depends on several factors influencing the overall settlement amount. For example, individuals in a rush to settle and who want a quick payout tend to recover less than those willing to take the time to build a compelling case and negotiate for maximum compensation.
How much an individual can recover for their economic and non-economic damages varies heavily depending on the specific details of their case. In most cases, an individual can seek compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
The unique factors that can influence the overall value of a case include:
- The severity of the accident victim’s injuries
- Disability, disfigurement, or permanent injuries
- Long-term medical costs or rehabilitation
- Fault/liability for causing the accident
- Emotional distress
- How injuries affect a victim’s daily life
- Cost of litigation
Every personal injury case is different, and unique factors may change the value of a particular case. Before accepting compensation from an insurance company, always seek the opinion of an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you calculate the value of your situation so you don’t miss out on the compensation you deserve.
Steps to Maximize Your Personal Injury Settlement
Another factor that can influence the value of your case is the steps you take immediately after an accident. Your actions can be scrutinized and used to bolster or diminish the value of your personal injury case. Ways you can maximize your personal injury settlement include:
- Report the accident – Step one is always to report the accident. If you are in a car accident, contact the authorities. If you are involved in a slip-and-fall or work-related accident, police report the incident to a supervisor or manager. You want documentation that an accident occurred.
- Seek medical attention for your injuries – Get the medical help you need immediately after an accident, even for minor injuries. Minor injuries can turn into significant medical problems when left untreated. Additionally, your medical records are a source of vital information and evidence.
- Document the scene – If possible, document the accident scene as best you can with photographs and videos.
- Get witness information – Witness statements can also help build a solid personal injury case. Ask witnesses for a brief statement about what they saw and their contact information.
- Keep detailed records – Take the time to document everything and record your medical bills, time missed from work, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses. It can also help to keep a pain journal detailing your injuries, pain level, daily struggles, and how your injuries impact your physical and mental health.
- Contact a Florida personal injury attorney – Individuals with legal representation recover more compensation than individuals who negotiate solo. Get an experienced personal injury attorney involved early to protect your legal rights and increase your chances of maximizing your compensation.
Mistakes That Can Lower Your Settlement
Unfortunately, there are some common pitfalls an accident victim can fall prey to that may jeopardize their ability to recover maximum compensation for their injuries. Follow your attorney’s instructions carefully and avoid some of these common mistakes that can lower your settlement:
- Not seeking medical attention for your injuries or following doctor’s orders – Not only is it critical to seek immediate medical attention for your injuries after an accident, but it is also essential that you explicitly follow your doctor’s orders and keep all follow-up appointments. Your health is at stake, and so is your personal injury case. Medical documentation proving the severity of your injuries can make or break a personal injury case. Individuals who do not seek proper medical care or discontinue their care too soon can have their credibility and injuries called into question.
- Accepting an initial settlement – It is rarely in an accident victim’s best interest to accept an initial settlement. These settlement offers tend to be low and may not cover the full extent of an individual’s injuries.
- Using social media – In the aftermath of an accident, your actions may be under the microscope. Insurers and opposing attorneys are looking for anything they can use against you. Talking about the accident and even posting innocent pictures of a family fun day can jeopardize your case. Stay offline until your attorney resolves your case.
Please read more about the mediation process for personal injury here: Preparing for Your Personal Injury Mediation Process.
How a Panama City Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
Nothing benefits you more than getting an experienced Panama City personal injury lawyer from The Bruner Law Firm on your side. Our legal team works hard to build a solid personal injury case and fight for maximum compensation for your injuries.
Contact our office now or call us at (850) 243-2222 for a personalized and free consultation to learn more about maximizing your personal injury settlement. We are here to help you with your rights.
