While your damages in a personal injury do not change, how you handle your claim may determine how much money you can receive. You can cost yourself money if you make mistakes in the claims process. Contact the Edwardsville personal injury lawyers at Walton Telken Injury Attorneys to learn more about the potential value of your personal injury settlement.
Tip #1: Get a Lawyer
You should not try to deal with the insurance company on your own. They will get the best of you in a settlement every single time. There may not even be a negotiation because you will not know how to deal with the insurance company. An experienced lawyer can be your advocate during the claims process and work to safeguard your legal rights. Claimants who hire an attorney will end up with more money than those who try to represent themselves.
Tip #2: Document Your Injuries
You should keep detailed records of the damages that you have suffered since your accident and give them to your attorney. This way, your lawyer can better prove your damages. The burden of proof is on you to show the full extent of your injuries.
Tip #3: Know the Value of Your Case
The only way to get a fair personal injury settlement is to know what a reasonable settlement actually is. You should never guess the value of your claim. The insurance company knows how much you should get, and it is the benchmark that they are trying to come in below. When you know the numbers, the insurance company is less likely to take advantage of you. Like anything else in life, information is power in a personal injury case.
Tip #4: Hold Out for What You Deserve in a Settlement
The insurance company will make you an initial settlement offer that is just a fraction of the true value of your case. You are not obligated to accept what they offer. You have the right to say no, and there is nothing that says that you even need to continue to deal with the insurance company. When you reject a settlement offer that is less than what you deserve, the insurance company will likely come back with a higher offer. This process can repeat itself several times until you have a more realistic settlement.
Contact a St Louis Personal Injury Attorney Today
The professionals at Walton Telken Injury Attorneys have a track record of helping clients get more money from a personal injury settlement. To get our attorneys working on your case, contact us online or call us today at 844-307-7349.
Personal Injury Case FAQs
What if my loved one died from their personal injury?
Your family can file a wrongful death lawsuit to be compensated for losing a loved one.
Should I accept the first settlement offer?
Almost always, you should never accept an initial settlement offer. The only circumstances under which you should consider the initial offer is if it is for the policy maximum.
