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Car accident victims can receive compensation for a variety of damages. However, receiving a fair settlement depends on several factors. Substantial proof of your damages can increase the likelihood of a higher settlement offer. It’s essential to take photos and videos, document your expenses, and collect witness statements.
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Hire an Attorney
Hire a car accident attorney to help you get the financial support you need to recover from an injury. Insurance companies will often low-ball victims and challenge their injuries to avoid paying them what they deserve. Your attorney will also document your medical expenses, lost wages, and other financial losses. They can also note non-economic damages, such as emotional trauma and physical pain. Ensure that the lawyer you choose has experience handling similar cases—schedule meetings with several lawyers to find one who fits your needs and personality. Most personal injury attorneys will retain a percentage of your settlement. Before hiring them, could you find out about their fee schedule?
Get Medical Care Right After the Accident
An essential part of your injury damages claim is your medical records. They demonstrate the severity of your injuries, often accompanied by ongoing care, costs for prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, a decline in income due to missed work, and more. It’s also essential to see a doctor as soon as possible, even in cases where it may take several hours or days for pain or discomfort to register. Not only does seeking medical attention help prevent long-term complications, it also creates a record of the incident.
Additionally, if you are asked by responding police officers or other witnesses to state whether you were injured at the accident scene, never say that you were uninjured. It can be used against you later by the insurance company to undermine your injury claims.
Take Photos and Videos
Having photos of the accident scene helps insurance companies, and investigators get a clear picture of how the crash happened. These details will resolve questions about where the accident took place, how the victims were injured, and many other important factors that could play into a compensation claim.
Take pictures of the vehicles involved in the crash from multiple angles, especially close-ups, to capture any damage. It would help if you also photographed any weather conditions or distractions that may have contributed to the crash, such as a pedestrian or road signs. If there are skid marks, photograph them as well.
Finally, be sure to take pictures of any injuries you sustained. These photos will help prove your claim for damages and serve as evidence of the extent of your injuries.
Document Your Expenses
Documenting your losses and expenses is the best way to increase the settlement value of your car accident claim. It includes receipts for all medical costs, property damage, missed work from the crash, and other expenses. Similarly, you should keep records of lost earnings or income due to the crash. It can include income from wages, overtime, tips, bonuses, and other sources of employment. It is also essential to know the full extent of your injuries. You should only accept a settlement once you are sure that it covers all your current and future losses. The top-rated attorneys can help you determine the value of your damages and pursue maximum compensation. They can also assist you in deciding whether the at-fault driver or other parties have insurance policies that could cover your losses.
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Gather Witnesses’ Information
An experienced lawyer will know all of the evidence to gather to build your case and maximize your settlement. They will also have strong negotiating skills and learn the right tactics when dealing with insurance companies. For example, keeping your social media accounts private while pursuing your claim is essential. The other driver’s insurance company could search your accounts to see if you are posting that your injuries are not severe and may attempt to lower the amount of your claim. A lawyer will also ensure that all of the information about your crash is collected, including witness contact information and any statements the other driver made admitting fault. They can document the full extent of your damages, including financial and emotional losses.