How To Get More Money From A Car Accident Settlement

Wondering how much are most car accident settlements? It’s a question we often hear from people in Edwardsville, IL, who are facing the real stress and uncertainty that follow a serious crash. While there’s no universal figure, one thing is clear: the size of your settlement often depends on the decisions made early in the process. At Walton Telken Bragee Injury Attorneys, we carefully guide clients through each decision to help position their claim for the strongest possible outcome.

Tips to Get the Most Money from a Car Accident

Know the Value of Your Losses

Knowing what to include in your claim matters. Beyond current medical bills, be sure to account for lost income, future treatment, and pain and suffering. Insurers often overlook long-term needs, so a full assessment helps you seek the compensation you’re entitled to.

Be Cautious with the First Settlement Offer

First offers are often low and may not reflect your actual losses. Taking time to assess your damages and allowing your legal team to negotiate can lead to a more accurate settlement.

Build a Strong Case with Clear Evidence

Strong evidence supports a stronger claim. Take photos, gather your medical records, and collect witness statements. Keep receipts and notes on your recovery to help show the full impact of the accident.

Don’t Delay Taking Legal Action

Timing matters. In Illinois, there’s a legal deadline for filing injury claims, and missing it can mean losing your right to compensation. Acting quickly also means key evidence is still fresh, and your attorneys have more time to build your case. 

Let Your Attorney Handle Insurance Communications

What you say to an adjuster can be used to reduce your settlement. They’re trained to listen for anything that might weaken your case. That’s why it’s best to let your attorney handle all communications. Even a brief remark, taken out of context, could impact how your claim is evaluated.

Limit Your Social Media Activity

Social media can be a trap during an active claim. Insurance companies routinely check profiles for any content that could undermine your case. Even a casual post or photo might be used to suggest your injuries aren’t serious. 

Consult a Car Accident Attorney

After a crash, most people aren’t sure what to do next—and that’s completely understandable. Having a legal advocate by your side can make all the difference in helping you pursue the full value of your claim. We understand the strategies insurers use to reduce payouts, and we know how to push back effectively. This is about more than filing documents—it’s about securing your future.

An attorney can also help evaluate how much are most car accident settlements in cases like yours and whether a proposed offer accurately reflects your losses. Without professional guidance, many people accept less than they deserve.

Call 911 Immediately Following an Accident

Don’t assume minor damage means no report is needed. Always call 911 after an accident. In Illinois, any driver involved in a traffic accident must file a crash report if the incident results in death, bodily injury, or over $1,500 in property damage. A police report offers critical evidence for your claim and helps establish fault. It also supports your credibility with insurers.

Officers on the scene can document what happened, take witness statements, and even note if weather or road conditions contributed. This third-party reporting carries a lot of weight during claim reviews and potential litigation.

How Medical Intervention Impacts Your Case Value

We often hear clients say they didn’t go to the doctor because they felt fine. But some injuries don’t show symptoms right away. After a car accident, it’s important to seek medical treatment, even if you feel fine initially. Medical documentation helps prove your injuries and treatment costs during the settlement process, which may involve care from a primary physician, physical therapist, or accident chiropractor.

Waiting too long to see a doctor can raise questions about the seriousness of your injuries. Whether it’s emergency care, follow-up visits, or ongoing physical therapy, your treatment should be timely and well-documented.

Follow your provider’s recommended treatment plan carefully. Interruptions in care or missed appointments can affect how your claim is viewed. A consistent and thorough medical history supports both your recovery and the legal strength of your case.

Get the Settlement You Deserve, Let’s Talk

Contact the Walton Telken Bragee car accident lawyers today at 844-307-7349 to discuss your options. We’re here to help you understand how much are most car accident settlements, and to pursue the outcome your case deserves.

“Walton Telken Bragee’s Managing Partner Attorney Troy E. Walton has over 25 years of experience handling personal injury, nursing home, medical malpractice, premises liability, construction, and workers’ compensation cases.”

Troy E. Walton

Trial Lawyer & Managing Partner