What You Need To Get The Most Out Of Personal Injury Settlements In California
Personal Injury damages are there to make sure victims of negligent accidents get the compensation they deserve. The tricky thing about insurance claims is that the liable party or insurance provider might trivialize the losses you suffered to reduce or refuse your payout.
To protect yourself from these underhanded tactics, there are several ways to make sure you preserve your personal injury claim. Here are a few things you need to do, as advised by prescreened Top Rated Personal Injury Attorneys in Los Angeles.
1. Get Medical Attention ASAP
Aside from making sure you're fine after an accident, seeing a medical professional is the best way to document your injuries. The medical professional will look at and test you with expertise, then list all your injuries and the possible treatment you might need.
More importantly, some injuries aren't immediately apparent. So you want to make sure hidden bruises, bone fractures, and concussions are logged into your medical record. These medical records can then be used to prove the extent of your injuries.
Additionally, some injuries heal and fade after a few days. So, waiting to get medical attention might reduce accountable injuries that can be logged into your record.
2. File A Police Report
Wait for the police to show up at the scene. This is also another opportunity to record what happened. They'll take your testimony and the other parties involved in the accident.
These police reports are going to be available to the public after a few days. You can request a copy of these reports from the police station and file it with all the other evidence you have.
You can give this report to your California Attorney for Personal Injury. Your best personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles will be able to use it to build a solid case for you.
3. Avoid Arguments And Altercations
Accidents are terrifying. Whether you're injured or not, it's easy to be overcome with emotions. It's easy to get angry at the others involved, especially if they've been negligent and caused the accident.
However, getting into arguments and escalating tensions might lead to you saying or doing things you'll regret. You might accidentally admit to guilt or get into a fight, which won't look good if you're filing a Personal Injury Claim in the future.
Instead, prioritize exchanging insurance information with the other parties. Of course, you'd also need to ask them for their name and contact information.
4. Alert Your Workplace
Contact your employer if your injuries and losses affect your work. This is especially crucial if you're running late or taking a medical leave.
If you've suffered property damage that affects your lifestyle and finances, mention that too. For example, if you can't use your car, you might have trouble getting to work.
Again, the key here is to document every negative repercussion of an accident or an injury. If your injuries and losses affect your job, it might lead to a loss of income, which counts as economic damage in California Personal Injury Law.
5. Avoid Negotiating With The Insurance Company Yourself
Some insurance companies get you to accept low-balled payouts.
Unfortunately, you don't always know how much your total damages are worth without legal or financial guidance. You might miss some crucial payouts, such as possible loss of income potential, emotional distress, and other non-economic damages.
You might also end up admitting to a lower offer, that your injuries aren't that bad, or that you were partially or fully responsible for the accident.
Instead, have a prescreened California Attorney for Personal Injury represent you in negotiations. This makes sure that you don't make any mistakes or get tricked into agreeing to things during the negotiations.
Find the Best Personal Injury Attorneys In Los Angeles (And Across California!)
1000Attorneys.com is a California Bar Association Certified Lawyer Referral Service that can refer you to a prescreened personal injury attorney that's fit to handle your unique case. You may contact us via our 24/7 live chat (or fulfill our case submission form) for a free initial consultation.
