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334-333-3333When you file a personal injury claim, you’ll want to maximize the amount of compensation you receive. Consulting with a Montgomery personal injury lawyer can help you start your claims process. There are also specific steps you can take to increase the chances of your attorney winning your case.
All evidence connected to your accident is crucial to proving your claim in a personal injury case. The more you can do to preserve evidence, the greater your chances of winning your case.
Keep any pictures and videos of your injury and the accident scene on your hard drive or cloud storage.
Obtain a copy of the police report as soon as possible if one is available. It is critical to gather the names and contact information of witnesses. Your lawyer can use this information to collect detailed witness statements and build your case.
You may also wish to keep a personal injury journal to track your pain levels. Make a note each day recording your pain levels and physical rehabilitation process. By keeping this type of journal, your lawyer gains helpful records of your injuries and recovery that they can use to obtain a fair settlement for you.
Your lawyer will ask you several questions about the accident to create a clear picture of what occurred. People often withhold details because they are afraid the details will hurt their cases. However, these facts may be critical for proving the other person’s or party’s negligence.
Transparency with your lawyer is vital as they must prepare your case with as much accuracy as possible. Being honest means telling your attorney the full extent of your injuries from the accident. You must be completely honest with your lawyer about all aspects of your pain, including its location, severity, duration, and treatment.
If you withhold information about your injuries, you may be denied maximum compensation. For instance, if you exaggerate your injuries and the other party discovers they are not as severe as you initially reported, it may reduce your settlement.
Alternatively, you may lose out on possible compensation based on the severity of your condition and the level of your disability if you downplay your injuries.
No matter how minor your injury may seem, visit a doctor after an accident and follow their orders regarding treatment and recovery. If you are experiencing pain or other complications related to your injury, let your physician know so they can document it in your medical records.
Do not skip appointments or treatment because this can reflect poorly on your claim and may reduce your compensation.
Keep track of any out-of-pocket expenses related to your injuries, such as transportation costs, medications, and medical equipment. Your legal team can present records of your medical expenses and doctor’s reports as part of your compensation claim.
The opposing party can use your social media posts against you in a personal injury claim. The negligent party’s insurance company can look for evidence to suggest you were not as hurt as you claim or that you have returned to your life before the accident.
For example, they may look for pictures posted after the accident that show you dancing or working out when you say you are injured and in pain. They may also seek out posts in which you mention your accident to look for comments that may prove you were partially responsible for the incident.
If you post about your injury on social media, the other party’s insurance company may use your post in court against you. Do not discuss the details of your case with anyone but your lawyer. It’s best to avoid using social media until after your case has settled.
The other party’s insurance company may attempt to contact you after your injury accident. You might receive a call from an adjuster asking for a statement, or the insurance company might offer a settlement amount.
If the insurance company calls, politely inform them they must speak to your attorney and ask for their contact information. Don’t try to negotiate with the insurance company without the aid of your lawyer and avoid making any statements about your accident.
After you hang up, call your attorney to let them know the insurance company contacted you. Inform your lawyer of what the insurance company representative said and your response. Allow your attorney to handle all communication with the insurance company for the duration of your case. This helps you avoid making statements that could hurt your claim and ensures that your legal team can expertly negotiate on your behalf.
Taking the proper steps to assist your Montgomery personal injury lawyer in your case is crucial to maximizing your compensation. The experienced lawyers at The Vance Law Firm can work with you to advise on what to do immediately following your accident.
With 25 years of combined legal experience, you can rest assured that our legal team will work hard to get you the damages you deserve. We never charge a fee unless we recover a settlement for you. Contact our law firm today to set up a free, no-obligation consultation.
