How to Get the Most Money From a Car Accident
Every car accident is different, so the money in a settlement depends upon various factors such as injury severity. However, obtaining the most money from a car accident overall results from solid documentation and good legal representation.
It is likely an insurance company adjuster will contact you shortly after the accident and offer a settlement. This is always a lowball offer, as the insurer wants to write off this claim quickly and cheaply. You get the least amount of money from a car accident by agreeing to the adjuster’s initial offer. Contacting a lawyer right away to protect your rights and negotiate with the insurance company is imperative if you desire a fair settlement.
The driver responsible for your accident may argue that you were negligent. Sometimes, both drivers at partly at fault, but under California’s pure comparative negligence statutes, those partially liable may still collect a percentage of damages.
For the past quarter-century, the dedicated Los Angeles car accident lawyers at Ellis Injury Law have helped clients receive the best settlement possible after a car accident. Our attorneys have recovered more than $350 million for clients in settlements and verdicts.
Collecting evidence
Maximum compensation relies on building a strong claim, and that means providing lots of documentation. If possible, start collecting evidence at the scene, after calling 911. Take photos or videos of the vehicles involved, your injuries, and the road conditions. Get the other driver’s name, driver’s license number, and insurance information. Obtain the names and contact information for any eyewitnesses.
Seek medical attention right away. Many accident victims think they are not hurt at first, but the injuries soon become apparent. Go to the emergency room or see the doctor promptly. Your health is not the only thing at risk if you fail to undergo a medical examination as soon as possible. You are also risking the amount of your settlement because the insurance company will argue that your injuries did not occur due to the crash but from some other incident.
Attend every doctor’s appointment
It is vital for your claim to attend every doctor’s appointment and to follow medical instructions to the letter. It is the healthcare provider who determines whether or not the accident victim requires more treatment, not the injured person. Failure to attend appointments or miss physical therapy sessions can harm your claim. The insurance company will allege you were not that badly injured.
While at the appointment, make sure to tell the doctor about every symptom you have relating to the injury. Even if the pain is minor, report it. Your medical records should include everything pertaining to your injuries and treatments.
Keep good records
Keep good records relating to your accident. Save every receipt and do not forget to include the cost of transportation to and from medical appointments and over-the-counter products purchased for the treatment of your injury. Account for every dollar spent out-of-pocket on your medical expenses.
If you had to hire someone to care for you while recuperating, include those expenses. The same holds true of repairs made to your car due to the collision.
Keep track of all work hours lost.
The better the record-keeping, the more likely you are to receive the compensation you deserve.
The purpose of damages
The idea behind a settlement is that the money “makes you whole” after the accident. Of course, money cannot return you to the state of health you enjoyed before the crash, and it certainly cannot replace the loss of a loved one. However, money is the legal way to compensate crash victims. Such compensation, or damages, may include:
- Medical expenses, present, and future
- Lost wages
- Employment loss
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium or companionship
Contact a Los Angeles car accident lawyer
If you or a loved one were seriously hurt in a car accident because of another party’s negligence, contact the experienced Los Angeles car accident attorneys at Ellis Injury Law at once. Schedule a free consultation by calling or texting us 24/7 or filling out our online contact form. We will evaluate your case and discuss your options. Since we work on a contingency basis, there is never a fee unless you receive compensation.