You could be entitled to compensation if you’ve been injured at work, in a public area, or in a car accident, and you believe somebody else is to blame. Gaining compensation requires liaising with insurance companies and sometimes even taking legal action against the party or parties you feel are responsible for your injuries and trauma.
The amount of compensation you receive after filing a claim depends on the extent of your injuries, trauma, and financial losses. It’s down to the insurance companies (or courts if you take legal action) to decide on the final settlement.
However, there are steps you can take to maximize your settlement. Ultimately, it involves taking a strategic approach and the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer to obtain the maximum sum of compensation possible after a personal injury.
Below, we have covered the essential steps to maximize your personal injury settlement and the ways the best injury lawyers in Tucson can help you with this.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
After sustaining a personal injury, your first step must always be to seek immediate medical attention. Injuries aren’t always visible, and getting a full check-over by a qualified doctor or nurse will ensure no internal injuries are missed.
At the hospital, you can receive prompt treatment for your injuries to minimize the risk of long-term complications or disabilities. You can also obtain official medical records of the injuries you’ve sustained and the treatments you have received to use as legal evidence when filing a personal injury claim for compensation.
Find an Expert Personal Injury Lawyer
After seeking medical attention for your injuries, your next step should be to find an expert lawyer in your area who specializes in personal injuries and personal injury claims. With a legal professional by your side, you can ensure that you gain every penny you deserve following your injuries.
A personal injury lawyer is an expert in liaising with insurance companies and conveying the evidence to support their client’s claims. Your lawyer will negotiate with insurance companies to settle on the maximum compensation that accurately reflects the injuries and trauma you’ve sustained, as well as potential financial losses that have resulted from the accident.
During the process, a personal injury lawyer will protect your legal rights and provide invaluable guidance to keep you informed every step of the way. They will act as advocates for you, keeping your best interests at heart and ensuring the end result of your claim is desirable.
Document Injuries, Evidence, Damages
Gathering and preserving evidence is essential for maximizing your settlement. Any evidence that you collect may be assessed by insurance companies or the courts when determining your final sum of compensation.
Your lawyer will help you document the scene of the accident and take photographs of injuries and property damage.
They can also request surveillance footage and interview witnesses to the accident to further support your claim. Additionally, your lawyer will help you collect medical records, bills, and other documentation to support your claim for damages.
Negotiate with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies may try to minimize their compensation payouts, even if you have a valid claim and have sustained substantial financial losses or medical bills following your injuries. It’s not always easy negotiating with insurance companies by yourself and this is where hiring a personal injury lawyer can help.
Your lawyer will skillfully negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, using evidence and legal arguments to demand fair compensation for your injuries and losses. As a result, you should obtain the maximum possible settlement.
Insurance companies can often pressure people into accepting a quick (and low) settlement offer. Your lawyer can provide support and guidance, and advise you on the appropriate timing for settlement negations to prevent you from accepting a much lower offer than you deserve.
Consideration of Long-Term Damages
When you’re in the middle of the claims process, having suffered injuries in an accident, you may forget to consider the potential long-term damages of the incident. You may be left with permanent injuries or disabilities that could negatively impact your quality of life, and the risk of this will affect your total compensation sum.
A personal injury lawyer will work alongside healthcare professionals and medical experts to assess your risk of long-term injuries. They can use the outcomes of these assessments to negotiate a higher fee if you’re deemed to be at a high risk for permanent damages or a lower quality of life.