Whether you've been involved in an auto accident or suffered a slip-and-fall in a supermarket, your personal injury claim is the key to receiving the compensation you need to cover medical bills, lost wages, and future expenses. Personal injury claims can cover everything from broken bones to wrongful deaths, with some victims recovering millions in compensation.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, pursue the justice you deserve with the help of an experienced personal injury attorney. Your lawyer will take into account your damages, including the pain and suffering you've experienced as a result of the traumatic event, help to get your car fixed, and connect you to whatever other resources you need to be made whole once more.
How to Maximize Your Personal Injury Claim Compensation
Tip #1: Seek Appropriate Medical Care
After you suffer any type of personal injury, your health should always come first. Your adrenaline after a traumatic event might mask more serious injuries that present themselves later, so to be safe, seek appropriate medical care immediately. If an ambulance has been called to the scene, let the EMT evaluate you on the scene and take you to the hospital if needed. You don't want to risk your injuries manifesting later or being inadvertently exacerbated. Furthermore, the insurance company might flag your case if they notice you've failed to seek treatment in a timely manner, only to complain of a serious injury later.
Tip #2: Gather Evidence
If you were injured in or around a commercial property, request that an accident report be filled out. That accident report can substantiate your version of the accident in your claim and identify what caused your accident, in addition to recording the personal information of any potential witnesses to your accident. The report notifies the property to save any video recordings from the time before and during your accident, which could be very important to your claim.
If you're able, you should also take your own pictures of the scene of your accident, including damage to any vehicles involved or surrounding conditions that contributed, to memorialize the circumstances.
Tip #3: Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
The best way to ensure that your personal injury claim has a positive outcome is with the help of an experienced personal injury attorney. Your attorney can collect evidence to strengthen your case and advise you on whether you should settle or pursue your claim further.
Most importantly, your lawyer will give you peace of mind during what could be a very stressful time in your life. After a traumatic accident, your priority should be your own recovery. Let your attorney handle your case for you and trust that they will get you the full damages you're entitled to.
Tip #4: Avoid Posting About Your Accident or Injury on Social Media
Remember that anything you post can be used against you by the other side in your personal injury claim. People often post representations of themselves that can be misinterpreted or taken out of context and then lower the value of their case.
Tip #5: Don't Make a Statement to the Insurance Company
Any time you talk to the other party's insurance company, what you say can be recorded and could then potentially be used against you. While the insurance company should not attempt to contact you if they know you've hired an attorney, an adjuster will sometimes reach out to see if they can get you to say something that could damage your case. Tell the insurance company that your lawyer has advised you against making any kind of statement, and let your attorney handle all communication with the opposing insurance company for you.
Tip #6: Tell Your Treating Physician About All of Your Complaints
Don't be afraid to tell your doctor about any complaints pertinent to your injury. Being honest with your physician is critical to ensuring you receive the proper type and duration of treatment, as well as any necessary additional diagnostic testing. Be honest about your medical history, including whether you've suffered any similar accidents in the past. Again, your goal is to receive the highest quality of care so that you can work toward putting your accident behind you.
Tip #7: Keep a Record of Your Medical Appointments, Pain Levels, and Treatments
Personal injury claims cases can last for months, sometimes even years. Having a detailed account of your medical journey from the time of your accident is the best way to guarantee you can give accurate testimony about your injury and the pain and suffering you've experienced. Along with your record, hold on to receipts for all medications and items purchased (braces, bandages, crutches, etc.) to help treat your injury.
Tip #8: Notify Your Attorney About Any Changes in Your Treatment
Your personal injury claim cannot be resolved to its maximum benefit until your treatment has concluded. If your treatment modality has changed or if you've been discharged from care, notify your attorney so that they can prepare your medical records for presentation to the insurance company.
Demanding Justice for the Injured Since 1987
San Diego County Personal Injury Lawyer Russell Kohn has been fighting for maximum compensation for his clients in Carlsbad and the surrounding area for over 35 years. He and his legal team specialize in helping the injured people or the bereaved families of San Diego County hold the people responsible for the accident accountable.
Available 24/7 to his clients, Carlsbad Personal Injury Attorney Kohn handles each and every case himself and doesn't stop representing his clients until they're satisfied with their results. Whether you've been injured in a bicycle accident or are pursuing a settlement from a large company, Attorney Kohn will fight for the compensation you deserve.
Schedule your free consultation with Kohn Law Office today to speak with Attorney Russell Kohn, who will handle your case with the compassion and integrity you deserve.