10 Tips for Getting the Maximum Settlement for Your Personal Injury Compensation
An estimated 160,000 car accidents occur in Canada each year. That means your chance of experiencing a personal injury while on the road is high.
Cruising in your automobile is far from the only way you can get injured, though. Ice, animals, and general accidents are culprits too.
Whether you were injured in a car accident or some other way, you might experience financial or physical stress as a result. In this case, you’ll want to make sure you’re fairly compensated.
How can you make sure you are? Here are eight tips for getting the best personal injury compensation possible.
1. Don’t Leave Anything Out
You’ll need to be as thorough as possible in your investigation of the incident. This means you can’t stop at recording only what you and the offender experienced.
Look for witnesses. Collect statements from them so you have proof of how the accident really happened.
Don’t leave out any paperwork that’s related to the incident. Gather medical and police reports and have them ready to use in your defense. A personal injury lawyer can help you do this.
Remember, the other person will be working to pay as little as possible, so make sure you do as thorough a job as possible in your defense. You’ll need to prove that your side of the story is correct.
2. Don’t Hold off on Treatment
If you need medical treatment for your injuries, make sure you get it. Even if you aren’t sure if you need medical attention, it’s a good idea to let a physician check your health.
This is an important step in providing how much damage occurred due to the wreck. The medical records you receive from your appointment(s) will help you and your lawyer present the case that you deserve compensation.
If you need physical therapy, keep those records too.
3. Don’t Forget Your Mental Health
Your medical examinations shouldn’t be limited to how you’re feeling physically. You might have some emotional injury too.
Do you keep having flashbacks of the incident when the injury occurred? Is your anxiety higher than normal? Then make sure you’re treated for these emotional ailments.
Records of all appointments and treatments of an emotional nature should be kept and used to support your claim.
4. Ask for a Specific Amount
When making your claim, you need to have a specific amount of money in mind. Simply stating that you deserve an undefined amount of money isn’t going to cut it. Your personal injury lawyer can help you determine an appropriate amount.
Use your medical records and records of damage to your vehicle to prove that the number you have in mind is correct. Put this information in your claim letter.
The more you can explain your reasoning behind wanting that amount of money, the better.
Somewhere along the way, you’ll discover what your bottom line is. This is the minimum amount you’re willing to accept. Your lawyer will be able to help you determine what is an acceptable amount.
5. Be Patient
If you’re looking to maximize your compensation, you’re likely looking for a big chunk of cash. Realize now that it will take time to get that cash.
Many people like to settle issues as quickly as possible. This means you might be offered compensation quickly that doesn’t match up to how much you could receive.
Because of this, it’s important to be patient! Don’t always accept the first offer you’re given. Make sure the offer matches your minimum amount and makes sense according to your records before you accept.
Always consult your personal injury lawyer when a settlement is offered. He or she will help you determine if it’s acceptable or not.
6. Take Photos
Photos are great for presenting proof of your claim. They provide the decision makers in your case with visual proof instead of just paper evidence.
There are several things you can take photos of to present as proof. These include the damages made to your car in an automobile accident, the scene where the injury occurred, and any photos of your injuries.
Don’t skimp on the photos, either. Having several is a great way to show your proof from every angle.
7. Don’t Give Your Opponent Access to Records
The records you collect regarding your medical status are not for the opposing party. They may try to gain access to them through the signing of a release.
Watch out for this. The opposing side does not need your medical information. If they get ahold of it, they may use it to present their case against you.
Your insurance company needs your medical records, but the other party’s company does not.
8. Ensure a Big Reserve
The other party’s insurance company will create a reserve of funds as soon as they hear about the accident. This reserve is meant to cover the costs that they expect to have to pay.
It’s in your best interests to have this reserve start out big. While it’s not impossible to get more funds than there are in the reserve, it’s easier to get the funds owed you if the reserve already contained the much or more.
The size of the reserve is determined by the information the company receives regarding the accident. Knowing this, have your personal injury lawyer make sure they have the information they’ll need to create a larger reserve from the get-go.
Maximize Your Personal Injury Compensation with a Personal Injury Lawyer
After an accident, the last thing you want to have to worry about is how you’re going to cover the costs. Getting the right personal injury lawyer can really ease your anxiety.
The opposing side will always fight to give you the smallest amount they can. This means you’ll need to stay on your toes. So use these tips and your personal injury lawyer’s help to maximize the compensation you can receive.
At Mazin & Associates, PC, we are ready to do whatever it takes to get the maximum amount you’re owed. Contact us today at (416) 625-2122 to see how we can help.
