If you get hurt in a preventable accident, such as a car accident or slip and fall, it is important to know how to strengthen your case. The defendant or accused party and their insurance company will not want you to maximize your financial recovery. It is up to you to know how to optimize your Orange County personal injury case through detailed documentation, proper communication with insurance companies and being proactive about legal representation.
Get Medical Care Immediately
Never delay medical care after a harmful accident. Even if you think you aren’t injured, you may have hidden or delayed injuries that can be detected early with medical tests. Prompt medical care is important for the insurance process, as it shows an insurance company that you were injured in the accident. Keep your medical records as proof of the existence, type and severity of your injuries. Collect copies of your medical bills, as well, to prove this as a compensable loss. Take time off work if you need it to get treatments and recover. Lost wages are a compensable type of damage in a personal injury claim.
Collect Information and Evidence
The more information you have about your accident and injuries, the stronger your claim will be. As an injured victim, it will be up to you to prove your case against an accused party or defendant using evidence that the defendant caused your injury. Do your best to gather evidence early on – while still at the scene of the accident, if possible. This can include pictures and videos of the accident scene, witness statements and information, cellphone records, medical records, and proof of your bills and losses. Keep detailed records of all communications between you and an insurance company, as well.
Know How to Deal With Insurance Companies
One of the most effective ways to strengthen your injury claim is by knowing what to expect from an insurance company. Insurance providers operate for profit, and often submit lowball initial settlement offers to save themselves money. There are strategies you can use to deal with their tactics and maximize your payout as much as possible. The first thing to know is that the insurer is not on your side. Be careful what you say to the insurance claims adjuster; don’t offer any more information than is necessary to answer each question. Do not accept the very first settlement offer. It is likely less than you deserve for the full value of your medical bills, property repairs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Even if an insurer says it is the “best” or “final” offer, this is not the case. If you are asked to give the insurer a recorded statement, politely decline. This is a strategy used by insurance carriers to have something to use against the claimant later. If you aren’t confident handling conversations and settlement negotiations with an insurance company on your own, you have the right to hire an Orange County personal injury lawyer to do so for you.
Hire a Personal Injury Attorney Without Delay
Injury claims can encounter many challenges, from liability disputes to uncooperative insurance companies. It can be crucial to hire a knowledgeable and experienced personal injury lawyer to help you with your claim for optimal results. You can trust a lawyer to protect your rights and fight for your interests throughout your case. This includes litigating your case in court in California, if necessary. To learn more about how an attorney can help you strengthen an injury claim, contact Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian for a free case review.