Once you’ve been in a car accident, there’s no going back. The steps you take from the moment it happens will play a huge role in how your personal injury claim pans out.
That’s why it’s important to understand all of the different components that affect your case and what you can do to maximize the possibility of a positive result.
- Get Some Treatment
The whole point of filing a personal injury claim is to get compensations for losses that happen as a result of the accident, including any injuries experienced.
That’s why you need the testimonials of health care providers and doctors complete with a diagnosis and treatment plan that’ll increase the value of your settlement.
Seek medical treatment and make sure to follow the doctor’s advice. If they say you should seek a physiologist to help you recover; do it. If the physiotherapist prescribes certain exercises every day; do them diligently.
- Preserve As Much Evidence As Possible
Should your case get to court, you’ll be at the mercy of a jury, and they’ll use available evidence to decide your case. That’s why it’s important to preserve as much evidence as you can in order to strengthen your case.
This means you should take photographs of your injuries and of the accident scene right after calling for help.
Ask for the names and contact information of any witnesses that are on the scene and ask for a police report from the police officer who’s first on the scene.
- Claim Everything You Have Suffered
A car accident can lead to all types of damages to your life and your person. As such, you’re entitled to claim all kinds of damages, including any losses or injuries that you’ve suffered as a result.
You can claim compensation for things like emotional distress, loss of bodily function, loss of income, and any out of pocket expenses that you’ve had to go into as a result of the accident.
This is where an experienced Dallas personal injury lawyer will come in. They’ll use their expertise to help you determine the extent and categories of damages suffered.
- Don’t Accept the First Offer
Don’t be so eager to accept the first offer that the other side puts on the table, no matter how tempting it might be at the time.
You have to be willing to play the long game and show the defendant that you’re not going down without a fight. Haggle a little. Negotiate until you get a settlement offer that truly reflects what you’ve been through.
If possible, you should only cave in after the third, fourth, or even fifth offer.
- Convince the Defendant That They Need to Give a Better Offer
The only way to get maximum compensation is to convince the defendant of how strong and sturdy your case is.
If you feel that the settlement offer is unfair or insufficient, let them know in writing why you think this is so, and present evidence based on points that they’ve bought up.
A detailed settlement rejection shows that you mean business and that you’re willing to stand by your statements until you get what you deserve.