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STEPS THAT COULD HELP INCREASE YOUR PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM

Posted by: at 3:13 PM on February 15th, 2021

When you or a loved one is injured in an accident caused by the negligence of another party, having an experienced attorney on your side can save you from making costly mistakes and increase your chances of maximizing any compensations you may be awarded.  Read on to learn some steps you could take to get the most out of your pursuit for maximum compensation.

What Can I Be Compensated For?
Each case is unique, which includes the damages caused and the compensation that may be available to the victim, which may consist of:

  • Past, present, and future medical expenses
  • Physical therapy
  • Rehabilitation
  • Medical devices (wheelchair, prosthetics, etc.)
  • Property improvements needed
  • Pain and suffering
  • Lost past income
  • Loss of future income
  • Mental trauma
  • Emotional distress
  • Property damage


What Determines the Value of my Personal Injury Claim?
Since no two personal injury claims are the same, it could be difficult to determine an accurate value of your claim without having an experienced attorney review your situation. Some important factors that may contribute to the value of your claim include:

  • How the accident occurred
  • How badly you were injured
  • The type of health care you received and future health care needs
  • Whether you had a preexisting injury
  • How your injuries have changed your ability to work and do other activities


Steps to Take to Maximize Your Injury Claim’s Value
There are some ways you could help maintain the maximum value of your claim:

  • Call 9-1-1 and report any injuries – If your injury is not severe, it is still important to seek a medical examination from a health care professional. Avoiding medical treatment could lower the value of your claim.
  • Obtain a police/accident report – Ask the local police how you can obtain a copy of the accident report. Having a copy of the accident report could be used as critical evidence to obtain the full value of your claim. If you were injured at work, you only have a certain amount of time to report your injury to your employer to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
  • Attend all medical appointments – It is of the utmost importance to not miss scheduled medical appointments or therapy sessions. If it is found that you did not follow up with recommended health treatments or prescribed medicines, insurers could use this as evidence to devalue your claim.
  • Avoid speaking to insurers – Be careful with what you say to insurance adjusters. They could get you to say something that may be used to hurt the value of your claim. You should let your lawyer handle all communication with insurance companies on your behalf.
  • Watch what you post online – Social media posts could be used against the value of your claim. For example, if you claim to have a broken foot and are seen online running around, the insurance company could use it against you.
  • Be honest about your injury – It is important to be completely honest about your injury and how it occurred. If your accounts are contradictory, it could hurt you in settlement negotiations. This is one of the mistakes you want to avoid in the legal process.

Contact a Licensed Lawyer to Protect the Value of Your Claim
Often, insurance companies may try to offer a quick settlement that may be much lower than the actual value of your personal injury claim.  Avoid talking to insurers until you have spoken to an experienced attorney.   

 
If you or a loved one is hurt in an accident, call the offices of LeBell, Dobroski & Morgan for a no-cost/no obligation review of your claim.  For over 45 years, the attorneys at LeBell, Dobroski & Morgan have been working with their clients to obtain millions in compensation, including many six and seven figure settlements and verdicts.