How To Get A Fair Settlement For Your Injuries
During the immediate excitement, it can be difficult to keep a clear head and think about what the consequences may be down the road.
Without knowing what to do, you could end up failing to get fair compensation for the injuries you do not yet realize you have.
These are some important steps to follow when you are in an accident.
1 Limit your comments to a personal injury doctor and attorney.
You never know who you are talking to at the scene of the accident and you may be giving fodder to the opposing side.
Never acknowledge any guilt or put the blame on the other party.
Just keep quiet.
2 Don't wait to find a personal injury doctor and get appropriate medical treatment.
This should be the first thing you do after the accident to make sure you are diagnosed for injuries that you may not even feel yet and keep records that you will need to be compensated for.
3 Make sure an investigation is performed to collect data to support your claim.
Remember that the insurance company for the other party is working to shift the blame on you and away from their client.
If you have to hire an investigator to gather information, it will be worth it.
4 Take photographs.
One of the added benefits of Smart Phones is that they provide you with a good quality camera everywhere you go.
Include photos of the damage to your vehicle and any obvious injuries to yourself.
5 Don't give in to the insurance adjuster and sign a settlement.
6 Don't sign a release to give the other party's insurance company or your own insurance company access to your records from the personal injury doctor unless you are advised by your attorney to do so.
7 Keep track of all the damages you have incurred from the accident including medical diagnosis and treatment from your personal injury doctor and other medical professionals, pain and suffering, loss of wages, cost of a rental car and repairs, treatment for anxiety from the stress of the accident, and any other related costs.
8 Don't stop your medical treatment until your doctor releases you.
Although you may feel better, complications could result if you stop your treatment too early.
9 Be prepared to go to court if you fail to get a fair settlement.
One of the benefits of having a personal injury attorney early in the process is to have representation that knows the specifics of your case.
Although a good personal injury attorney can help you get the best results from your claim, nothing is more important than getting a personal injury doctor early and maintaining accurate, organized records throughout your treatment.
These records are the most important part of the evidence that your attorney will rely on to bargain on your behalf.