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Table of Contents
1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention
One of the best ways to ensure that your claims of injuries are taken seriously and you receive more money from your car accident settlement is to seek immediate medical treatment following the motor vehicle accident.
By seeking immediate medical treatment, you not only prevent delayed symptom injuries such as whiplash, soft tissue injuries, or internal damage from worsening, but you also obtain official medical records documenting your injuries, making them easier to prove in front of insurance adjusters or in court.
In addition, when you promptly seek medical attention following a car accident, you avoid any gaps in treatment, which insurance companies train adjusters to look for to make a reason to lower or deny a settlement.
In short, seeking immediate medical attention after an auto accident is advantageous for both your health and your personal injury case.
2. Receive All the Justifiable Medical Treatment You Need
Similar to obtaining immediate medical attention after a car accident, you also need to ensure that you receive all the medical treatment necessary for your injuries during the settlement process.
It's crucial that you do not delay or deny any treatment your doctor or physical therapist may recommend to you, whether it be physical therapy, surgical procedure, therapy sessions, or diagnostic tests, as by receiving such treatment, you build evidence supporting the severity of the injuries while increasing your potential car accident settlement.
3. Gather and Preserve As Much Evidence
When seeking to get more money from your settlement, it's crucial that you build the strongest case possible to avoid any complications, such as your claim being denied or the insurance company claiming that you are partially or fully at fault.
To build a strong case, you'll need to collect as much evidence as possible, including:
- Pictures and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, skid marks, traffic signals & signs, and visible injuries
- Witness statements and contact information
- Medical expenses and documentation
- Vehicle and other property damage repair estimates
- Journal of the physical pain and emotional distress you suffered because of the accident
- Police report
Gathering and preserving the evidence outlined above gives your car accident attorney a better opportunity to build the best case possible.
4. Don't Take the First Settlement Offer
A common trick insurance companies use to minimize payouts for personal injury cases is to offer a low first settlement, which at the time may seem like a fair settlement, but in reality is lower than what you may be entitled to.
The best way to handle an initial first settlement offer from the insurance company is to politely deny it, even if you seek to resolve the situation quickly, as you may not be able to foresee unexpected expenses such as surprise medical bills or lost wages.
Before accepting any offer from the insurance company, consult with a personal injury attorney and have them determine the true worth of your legal claim to ensure any settlement offer is fair.
5. Don't Speak to the Insurance Company Alone
Insurance companies, even your own, will actually work to minimize your car accident settlement.
For this reason, it's crucial that you don't speak to them without legal representation from a personal injury lawyer or legal professional, as they will attempt to use your own words against you, try to deny or delay your claim, or violate your rights.
6. Contact a Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer
When seeking to ensure that you receive fair compensation, enlisting the help of a Las Vegas car accident lawyer is a sure way to do so.
By obtaining legal help from an experienced personal injury lawyer, you can be assured that the legal aspects of your case are handled correctly and that your case is filed within any statute of limitations.
In addition, a skilled attorney can handle all communications with the insurance company and opposing party for you, removing the stress of negotiations and avoiding having your rights violated.
For those who worry about the cost of a skilled car accident lawyer, you don't have to worry, as our Las Vegas car accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don't pay a fee unless we win your case.
Schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in Las Vegas with a proven track record of success in car accidents today by calling (702) 566-3600.
7. File a Car Accident Claim Promptly
Following a car accident, filing a claim with the insurance company as soon as possible is an important step in obtaining a faster and larger settlement.
Filing a claim ensures that you comply with your state's statute of limitations, which sets the filing time frame for personal injury claims and any insurance company filing deadlines that may be stated in the policy.
Additionally, filing promptly after a car accident keeps any evidence and accident details fresh, making organizing a strong claim easier.
8. Factor in the Comparative Negligence
When seeking to maximize compensation in your car accident case, you must understand and avoid comparative negligence.
Many states have a comparative negligence rule, and some, such as Nevada, have a modified comparative negligence rule.
These comparative negligence rules allow multiple parties to be responsible for an accident, resulting in parties found partially at fault having their settlement reduced based on the percentage of fault they share in the accident.
To obtain the maximum compensation from your car accident case, you must avoid having comparative negligence lower your compensation by enlisting the help of an experienced car accident lawyer who can help prove the other side's liability while reducing yours.
9. Avoid Speaking About Your Case on Social Media
You may have the urge to speak about your case on social media; however, avoid posting or sharing details about your case, as there have been many cases where an insurance company's defense attorney used videos or images from accident victims' social media pages to undermine their injuries and lower their settlement.
In addition to not posting any videos or images about the accident on social media, don't post any text comments about it either, as such statements could be used to contradict your statements made to the insurance adjuster, damaging your credibility, effectively reducing your final settlement.
10. Be Presentable at Court (If Your Case Goes to Trial)
If early settlement negotiations don't work out with the insurance company and your attorney files a personal injury lawsuit, your case may be taken to court or through additional legal proceedings.
In the event your car accident case proceeds to court, it's important that you look and behave professionally, especially if there is a jury, as your behavior and presentation of yourself definitely sway opinions even if you have a strong case.
To have a good impression in court before a judge or jury, dress in a suit or business-casual attire, but don't overdress. Also, be well-groomed.
In addition, when speaking, be calm and respectful and avoid acting overly emotional.
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Rodney Okano Car Accident Lawyer is a Las Vegas personal injury law firm with over 20 years of experience helping clients obtain maximum compensation following injuries from accidents such as car crashes, worksite injuries, and slips and falls. Over those years, The Rodney Okano Car Accident Lawyer Law Firm has become an experienced law firm that can ensure exceptional results for any of its clients.
