If you’ve been injured in one of the 6 million car accidents that happen each year in the US, you know how expensive they can be. Medical expenses, insurance deductibles, and lost wages from missed work add up quickly. The National Safety Council estimates that the average cost of an accident with an injury in 2020 was over $29,000.
If you’ve been injured in an accident and want to make sure you get fairly compensated, read on to learn how to get more money from a car accident settlement.
Seek Medical Attention
After your accident, you should always seek medical attention. If you don’t think your injuries are serious enough to warrant an ambulance ride to the hospital, you can go later on, on your own.
If you don’t seek medical attention, however, the insurance company of the at-fault driver will likely argue that your injuries are not bad since you didn’t need to see a doctor. You might also think that you’re not injured at all, but those injuries might appear hours or even days after the accident.
Gather Information at the Scene
If it is safe to do so, take pictures and video of the accident scene, the cars involved, and any other relevant details. You should also note everything you can remember, such as the day and time of the accident, weather conditions, roadway damages, and other information that might be useful later.
If there are witnesses, get their names and contact information. Don’t just assume that the police will include their information in the accident report.
Keep Meticulous Records
Keep all of your medical records, receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses, detailed records of missed work, miles traveled for doctor’s appointments, and documentation of any other expenses related to the accident and your injuries.
This will help you place a fair value on your case and ensure that you aren’t settling for a settlement that is too low and that won’t adequately compensate you for your expenses.
Hire an Attorney
Hiring an attorney is one of the best ways to maximize your car accident settlement. The best car accident attorney in your area will help you value your claim, negotiate with the insurance company for you, guide you in the process, and take your case to trial if you can’t come to a settlement agreement with the insurance company of the at-fault driver.
They may also be able to help move the case along faster, as car accident claims take a notoriously long time to settle. Read more about how long cases take when considering hiring an attorney. Most car accident attorneys don’t charge you unless you win, so you won’t be out anything if you lose the case.
How to Get More Money From a Car Accident Settlement
If you want to know how to get more money from a car accident settlement, use our guide. If you do a good job gathering information and documenting your injuries and expenses, a car accident lawyer can take all of it and build a strong case for you.
If you found this guide useful, be sure to check out more of our legal resources and articles.
