Whether you sustained injuries in a car accident or another incident, recovering compensation while healing can be overwhelming. You likely have mounting medical expenses, property damage, and may be unable to work. Understanding how to increase the personal injury settlement you recover after an accident is essential. Here are some ways to maximize your settlement amount in Texas.

Seek Medical Care Right Away

After an accident, immediately seeking medical attention is one of the best ways to support a fair settlement. You may not have symptoms right away, but it is vital to have a professional make sure you are not injured. Individuals frequently have hidden injuries after an accident. The documentation produced in treating you will help you to get the proper amount of compensation.

Document Your Medical Treatment

Another strategy to maximize your potential settlement is to save all documents related to your medical treatment. Keep copies of all medical bills, reports, and receipts. This will aid you in recouping the cost of the medical treatment you have received. 

Collect Proof of Your Lost Wages

Obtaining proof of your lost income will also help increase the personal injury settlement. Request a letter from your employer that details how much time you have missed after your accident. You should also gather tax returns, pay stubs, and other financial documentation. A letter from your physician detailing how your injuries interfere with your ability to work is also beneficial. 

Preserve Evidence

After an accident, gather evidence related to the actual incident that harmed you. For instance, you should try to take pictures and videos at the scene of the accident. Other evidence that can be helpful includes the following:

• Eyewitness statements,
• An accident report, 
• Traffic camera footage,
• Property damage estimates, and
• Letters and emails.

Note that this is not a comprehensive list of all the types of evidence you might need. Collecting this evidence will support your claim that your injuries and damages were due to the accident. It will also aid in proving the liability of the other party involved. Our skillful attorneys can assist you through every step of this process.

Keep a Personal Injury Journal

Keeping a journal of your experiences after an accident is also to your advantage. Journaling will help you remember the details of the event. Notes may also include how your injuries prevent you from participating in daily activities. You can ask a family member or friend to write notes on your behalf if you have significant injuries.  

Avoid Social Media

Another way to recover the maximum amount possible is to stay off social media. Posting anything on social media can hurt your claim. Attorneys for the other party or an insurance adjuster may discover information that they can use against you. For example, the lawyer for the other party might find a post in which you are participating in an activity that suggests you are not injured as seriously as you contend. 

Also, be aware that insurance companies are not above hiring investigators to follow you to verify that you are really injured. To put it bluntly, keep a low profile until your claim settles. Insurance companies are always willing to use what they find against you. 

Ask for Communication to Be in Writing

When you speak with your insurance company, request that they give offers to you in writing. For instance, you can request that they email you their offer and send you a valuation report. Additionally, you can ask your insurance company for evidence used to determine the first offer. Any other communications should be in writing as well.

Have a Certain Amount in Mind

It is also crucial to keep a specific settlement amount in mind. You do not have to tell anyone this number. Evaluating what you believe your claim is worth will be beneficial when negotiating. 

This involves understanding all your damages. Losses may consist of economic and non-economic damages. Lost wages, pain and suffering, and medical expenses are all a part of your losses when filing a claim.

Do Not Accept the First Offer

Insurance adjusters often try to offer unreasonably low amounts to injury victims. They use an array of tactics to convince you to settle for the smallest amount possible. While any offer may seem enticing, you should not accept it because it will likely be less than you deserve. The insurance companies know you may be strapped for cash, so they will try to lowball you. Don’t fall for it.  

If you accept the first offer, you may be able to cover some of your expenses. But what about ongoing physical therapy or other future medical care? Talk to a seasoned attorney as soon as possible after your accident so that you can negotiate a fair settlement amount. 

Be Patient

Staying patient throughout the personal injury settlement process is vital. This may be difficult as you seek to pay your medical costs and put food on the table. The process can take several months or longer to ensure that you receive fair compensation. 

At the same time, remain firm with your insurance adjuster. Follow up with them occasionally. If your adjuster does not get back to you promptly, you might need to consult an attorney.

Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you want to know how to increase the personal injury settlement you recover, an experienced attorney can help you. A lawyer can assist you in obtaining a better settlement award by gathering evidence, identifying all the potentially liable parties involved, and negotiating with the insurance companies. 

What Should I Do If I Want to Accept an Offer?

If you agree to a particular amount, remember that what you accept is binding. You cannot change your mind after signing a settlement agreement. That is why it is prudent to have a lawyer help you determine the absolute value of your claim. 

While our attorneys can advocate for you, accepting or rejecting an offer is ultimately your choice. But if you are thinking about accepting an offer, consider how close in dollars the insurance company’s offer is to your demand. If it looks like it’s short, you may want to consider pursuing compensation in court. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you make these determinations. 

How Our Attorneys Can Assist You

Our accomplished attorneys are here to help you achieve the best results after a serious accident. At Grossman Law Offices, we have tackled thousands of personal injury claims and multiple high-value wrongful death claims. We can help you obtain the compensation you need for lost wages, pain and suffering, and medical expenses. Reach out to our dedicated team today for assistance at 855-326-0000.