Have you decided to file a personal injury claim? If so, then your biggest goal now should be to do all it takes to increase your settlement amount. This is especially true if you have sustained severe injuries and property damage because you want the settlement to cover all of your medical costs, lost income, and other losses.
We have compiled a list of the most effective strategies to do this. If you want to increase your chances of getting the maximum possible compensation, follow the tips listed below.
If you are interested in a lawsuit advance to help tide you over until you receive your personal injury settlement, Direct Legal Funding is here to help! We are one of the nation’s leading pre-settlement funding providers, and we have helped numerous clients obtain car accident loans, construction accident loans, and many other types of lawsuit settlement loans.
Hire an Attorney Who Has Experience Handling Personal Injury Claims in Your City
Many attorneys claim to be personal injury lawyers, but a smaller number of attorneys have actually earned the respect of insurance companies and know how to work with them to ensure that your case is properly evaluated.
If the insurance company doesn’t offer to settle your claim for fair value, your lawyer needs to have experience in the courtroom. They should also be willing to take the case to trial so a jury can make a proper determination.
Since personal injury laws vary from state to state, hire a lawyer who has practiced cases in your city. With the right lawyer by your side, you have a much better chance of recovering full and fair compensation. This will also qualify you for a larger pre-settlement loan if you choose to go that route.
Discuss Every Symptom with Your Doctor
The insurance company will look at your medical records to determine whether your claim is legitimate. Most people who go to the doctor are optimistic and will claim that they are “doing okay” even if they are not.
We are not saying you should exaggerate or falsify any injuries, but you should always tell the doctor exactly what hurts and what degree of pain you are in. If you don’t do this, the records will not have any mention that you are still in pain or still injured, and the insurance provider will claim that you are no longer hurt. As a result, they will reduce their settlement offer to you.
Full medical documentation is absolutely critical if you want to receive the maximum amount of compensation for your claim. And remember, a higher amount of compensation also means the ability to qualify for larger lawsuit settlement loans.
Keep a Detailed Journal to Document Your Injuries and Treatment
Although your doctor will have records and paperwork regarding your physical complaints, they will not keep track of how those injuries affect your daily life – that’s your responsibility. If your case goes to trial, a journal with daily entries of how you’re feeling, how much pain you’re in, and how it affects your ability to function will be super helpful.
Remember, if the case has to go to trial, it will be probably a year or two after the accident. It will be hard for you to remember all the ways you were affected by the injuries during the initial months.
If you keep a simple journal where you note the pain and suffering and all the things you couldn’t do, it will help your attorney solidify your claim and qualify you for the maximum amount of damages, which can also enhance the amount of lawsuit funding you qualify for as well. If you are not able to describe these events accurately, it can hurt the value of your claim.
Follow Your Doctor’s Orders
If your doctor has instructed you to come back in a week, then make sure you keep that appointment at any cost. If you have to miss it for any reason, reschedule it as soon as possible. If the doctor refers you to a chiropractor or physical therapist, then you must attend those appointments as well.
Every time you fail to follow your doctor’s recommendations, it will be used by the insurance company to minimize your claim. They will say that if you were truly injured, you’d have followed the doctor’s orders. Doing this could severely damage your legal claim, and to add insult to injury, your pre-settlement funding application could be jeopardized as well.
Be Completely Honest with Your Doctor and Your Lawyer
This goes without saying but it’s important to be truthful about your injuries and the circumstance of your accident. You need to be up-front with your lawyer about prior injuries so they can anticipate any defenses raised by the insurance company.
Similarly, be honest with your doctors so you can get proper treatment and maintain your credibility, which would be important if the case has to go to trial. If you lose credibility, the insurance company will reduce the settlement amount, which also reduces the amount of any lawsuit advance you may qualify for.
Don’t Give a Recorded Statement to the Insurance Company
The insurance provider will most likely contact you within a few days after the accident and ask for a recorded statement. Most injured victims during this time are very emotionally distraught and end up saying things that damage their claims in the future.
The best thing to do here is to speak with the insurance adjuster only if you decide NOT to hire a lawyer and only after you’ve had time to calm down and discuss the accident rationally. This recorded statement is simply an effort by the insurance company to pin you down regarding the details of the accident. If you say the wrong thing, they will use it against you to reduce their settlement offer to you.
Don’t Discuss Your Case with Anyone Except Your Lawyer
This may not seem like a big deal but it is. If you discuss your injuries, treatment, or the facts of your case with your colleagues, neighbors, or random people on social media, it may come back to haunt you. You never know who might be listening or how they might interpret your statements. It’s best to talk about the case only with your lawyer.
Apply Today for Risk-Free Lawsuit Settlement Loans
At Direct Legal Funding, we offer personal injury claimants with low-interest lawsuit advances that are to be repaid only if the case is won. There is no hidden or upfront fee, and we don’t check your credit score or financial history to approve your application. You can get approved for pre-settlement funding within 1-2 days, and then have the money in your hand within 24 hours.
You have enough on your plate with the injuries and pain and suffering – you shouldn’t have to worry about paying the mounting medical bills and meeting your household expenses, especially when you are injured or recovering, and might not be fully fit to work.
Our dedicated team at Direct Legal Funding is here to help you with competitive, non-recourse pre-settlement loans. Contact us today to find out how it works or fill out this short online form to start the process right away. You can also call us at 866-941-5588 to talk to one of our lawsuit funding specialists.