Were you injured in an accident caused by someone else? In this situation, you may have a chance to settle with their insurance company for compensation. It’s natural to wonder how to increase your settlement value in these circumstances.
You can boost your chances of securing fair damages by immediately seeking medical care, keeping track of all your bills, and hiring a personal injury lawyer in Indianapolis to represent you. Our team at Vaughan & Vaughan can focus on resolving your claim starting now.
Find out more about insurance settlements by calling or filling out our online contact form.
Get Prompt Medical Care to Boost Your Settlement Value
Seeking immediate medical attention after an accident may help you increase your settlement value. Getting fast healthcare treatment helps to demonstrate that the accident caused your injuries, making it easier for your lawyer to build your claim.
Accidents can leave you with broken bones, a concussion, internal injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other catastrophic injuries. When you get fast medical care, it also means that you have official reports of all your necessary medical expenses.
Keep Official Records of All Your Expenses
The party liable for your accident and their insurance agents will not take your word for the extent of your financial losses. You need official documentation to back up all of your expenses if you want to increase your settlement value.
Examples of documents that may support your claim and help you secure fair compensation include:
- Any medical records provided by the hospital or your primary care physician
- Bills from physical therapy or rehabilitation offices
- Invoices from the pharmacy that provided your medication
- Gas station receipts if you had to travel to your medical appointments
- The costs to repair your property damaged in the accident
- Copies of your past pay stubs
Your past pay stubs – or old tax forms – can establish your average rate of pay. Lawyers can use this information to help you seek funds for your lost wages in some cases. You may also qualify for funds to cover your lost earning potential.
The more documentation you can provide, the more foundation your lawyer can build to maximize your settlement value.
Hire a Lawyer to Handle Your Claim
Finally, you can hire a personal injury lawyer to assist with your legal needs if you’re interested in boosting your settlement value. A legal firm can explain all the relevant laws in Indiana and stand up for you.
Lawyers understand all compensation you may qualify to receive. In addition to the economic losses discussed above, your attorney may bring you funds to cover your pain, suffering, and mental anguish.
How do Lawyers Increase Your Settlement Value?
Working with an attorney gives you a chance to secure fair damages for all losses caused by an accident in Indiana. Your attorney can:
Effectively Gather Evidence
You need solid evidence to back up your story if you want to secure damages after an accident. Lawyers can find and question witnesses, visit the accident scene, look for photo or video evidence, and obtain copies of your accident report.
Taking these steps helps to establish fault for your accident.
Identify All Liable Parties
Sometimes, increasing your settlement value means ensuring you’re pursuing the correct party for compensation. For example, let’s say you sustained injuries in an accident involving a commercial vehicle.
Your lawyer may choose to build an insurance claim against the company that opened the truck instead of the trucker. The trucking company may have a more robust insurance policy, allowing you to boost your settlement value.
Handle Insurance Agents
Insurance companies often try to limit the compensation you receive after an accident in order to protect their bottom line. They may try to push you toward accepting a subpar settlement, for example.
Your attorney can review all settlement offers, helping you navigate legal jargon so you understand what the company is really offering you. Lawyers can send back counteroffers and negotiate on your behalf, seeking fair damages.
File a Lawsuit on Your Behalf
Your lawyer may suggest filing a lawsuit if the insurance company refuses to provide a fair settlement offer. Pursuing litigation may encourage the company to settle to avoid a lengthy and expensive court process.
Seeking damages through the court system also provides an alternative means of resolving your claim. You can discuss this option with our law firm.
Speak to Us About Increasing Your Insurance Settlement Value
Wondering how to increase your settlement value after an accident? Our team at Vaughan & Vaughan can help you review tips to boost your potential compensation. We’re ready to provide you with personalized support today.
Complete our online contact form or call us to learn more.
