With WorldMetrics listing the average U.S. car accident settlement at around $24,000, it stands to reason that people want to seek justice. The average being that high shows that the recipients suffered real losses and that the high settlement is the only way to make that fair. Are you currently seeking a similar car injury settlement, and are you aware of the steps you must take in your process?
Keep reading to discover five of the essential strategies you can use to boost your chance of receiving a fair claim. Learn how you can give yourself the best chance of success with:
- Incident documentation
- Professional guidance
- Insights into the legal process
- Data regarding your health
- Caution surrounding communication
So, read on to take control of the litigation process for your benefit with Kearney, Freeman, Fogarty & Joshi, PLLC.
1. Document Every Detail Immediately After the Accident
Properly documenting everything about the accident scene can substantiate your personal injury claim and provide tangible evidence to refute accusations from other parties. You can use these during insurance negotiation to seek a car accident injury settlement in your favor.
The kinds of documents and evidence you will want to gather include:
Photos and Videos of the Accident Scene
You will want to capture both wide-angle shots of the accident scene and close-up images of any vehicle damage on both vehicles. These will give you clear information about the nature of the collision and remove doubt as to what damage occurred during the impact.
Also, if possible, get photographs of:
- Road conditions
- Weather at the time of the incident
- Traffic signs and their visibility
- Images of the tires of all involved vehicles
- Skidmarks on the road
- Photos of the involved individuals
- Locations of debris
These could provide valuable insights into the specific events and avoid people suggesting that the incident did not occur as you describe.
Also, take photos of any injuries you have sustained, no matter how small. Even a minor injury may appear worse later, and information on how quickly it escalated can be vital.
Sometimes, a local shop or business may have had a video camera recording the incident. Do not ask for the video at that time, but contact a lawyer as soon as you can and ask them to request it instead.
Legal professionals will have the resources and tools to ensure that evidence collection occurs in a way that guarantees a provable chain of custody.
Personal Statements
Make notes about the incident in as much detail as you recall. Describe the events leading up to, during, and after the accident.
Do not speculate on the motivations of others in your writing, as an opposing party could use it to speculate about your motivations, possibly suggesting you are at fault. Also, avoid subjective language, only describing the facts of the incident in clear and concise statements.
Get the police report number if you can. It will act as a strong piece of clear evidence moving forward.
Collect Contact Information of Witnesses
Ask for individuals:
- Full names
- Phone numbers
- Physical address
- Email address
- Any other way of contacting them
- Whether they expect to be away from home in the next few months
Also, ask whether they can provide unbiased accounts. These can strengthen your claim further.
2. Seek Prompt Medical Evaluation
Try to get immediate medical attention following any collision to ensure that the results of the crash are still visible. Doing this makes the injury claims more legitimate and avoids suggesting they did not come from the incident.
You should do this even if you only have minor injuries to have a record of their existence. Also, from a safety point of view, not all injuries are immediately apparent.
If the healthcare provider suggests a specific treatment plan, follow it as closely as possible. It indicates a commitment to recovery, which can then influence compensation further.
3. Refrain from Publicly Discussing the Accident
Do not discuss the accident on a public channel like Facebook or other social media platforms. An opposing lawyer or jury may misinterpret your post, impacting whether you are successful in your case.
You may be able to post that it occurred without much concern and thank people for their sympathy when they offer it. However, do not go into detail and discuss what you wish to post with a car accident lawyer beforehand.
4. Keep a Record of All Accident-Related Expenses
Any records on what you have spent following the car accident can ensure that you later get these back as a part of your auto accident compensation. These include bills for:
- Vehicle repair
- Medical procedures
- Rental vehicles
- Towing services
- Public transportation
- Personal property damaged in the incident
- Legal fees
- Insurance deductibles
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses
There are also some things you may not have expected you could claim for. These include bills for:
- Childcare needed following the accident
- Non-prescription medicines
- Mental health or counselling
- Parking fees for medical appointments
- Takeout purchased during recovery
- Housekeeping services
- Extra data or phone charges
Please note that you should only claim for the above products or services if you leveraged them due to the accident. Speak to a lawyer about the specifics of what this may entail.
5. Engage an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Early
Prompt legal advice can not only start the ball rolling on an accident claim but can also help you strengthen your case. A specialist in maximizing vehicle accident compensation will be able to guide you through the whole accident claim process.
They will also know the best way to submit legal documents promptly and efficiently. Due to this, they give your claim a better chance of success, potentially increasing awarded compensation or settlements.
Secure Your Car Injury Settlement with Prompt Legal Action
Make sure to implement the above steps urgently to give yourself the best opportunity for a car injury settlement. Also, working with a well-trained and experienced lawyer can offer you the best chance to get what you deserve.
For this reason, if you are in Fairfax, VA, or the surrounding area, contact Let Kearney, Freeman, Fogarty & Joshi, PLLC. We can seek justice on your behalf, giving you the best chance of success. Call us for a free consultation today.
