It is only natural to wonder how much your personal injury claim settlement will be worth after a car accident. If you ask this question your insurance company agent, the maximum amount offered or the initial settlement offer will always be not quite what you deserve.
This is why so many victims of motor vehicle accidents start looking for ways to increase the amount of their claim settlement to be able to pay for medical bills and cover other damages and loss, including but not limited to lost wages and loss of earning capacity.
Today, we brought our Ventura County car accident attorney to outline several tricks to maximize the value of your insurance claim settlement.
Beware of sly insurance companies
There are many sly and cunning insurance companies in Ventura County and all across California. So do not be surprised to find out that your insurer hired a private investigator to take photographs and record videos of your physical activities in public and even at home to compromise the integrity and severity of your personal injury claim.
Also, some insurance companies go the extra mile to spy on you on social media and dig out any Facebook, Instagram and Facebook posts that may raise doubts about the severity of your injuries (for example, a photo of you carrying a backpack after you claim to have suffered a back injury).
Bottom line is this: keep a low profile on social media and stay away from engaging in any sort of activities in public that may raise doubts over the validity of your personal injury claim.
How to increase the value of your car accident claim
Do not discuss your injuries or your personal injury claim with anyone other than your Ventura County personal injury lawyer, immediate family, and your treating doctors. Here is the thing: some insurance company agents and private investigators carry concealed tape recorders to fish out words and phrases that may hurt your personal injury claim settlement.
The third trick to maximize the value of your settlement after a car crash is to tell your car accident attorney about all prior accidents, pre-existing injuries and other personal injury complaints stemming from the past. Many insurers may minimize the value of your claim or even reject your claim if they find out about any underreported, forgotten or concealed injuries from the past.
When it comes to determining the value of your pain and suffering compensation (which, needless to say, can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars or even more), it is essential to craft a story that would drive the value of your personal injury claim. An experienced Ventura County car accident lawyer from the Law Offices of J. Jeffrey Herman can help you tell a story that would truly resonate with the judge and juries.
Tricks to maximize your insurance claim settlement
After a car accident, do not forget to keep track of all prescriptions and medicines taken as well as all surgeries, procedures and treatment that you have undergone. When drafting your personal injury claim, your attorney will most likely need receipts for all medications and all medical items purchased.
Write down all of your health complaints. Whenever you feel as if your injury limits your physical activity, write it down. Whenever you feel something that may be caused by your injuries (pain, headache, vomiting, etc.), write it down. The thing is: you will most likely not be able to recall tiny details like these a few months from now, which is why it is a good idea to keep a diary.
Establish other sources for compensation. You may be entitled to other insurance benefits. That is why it is highly advised to let a skilled lawyer review your insurance policy and determine whether or not you can maximize the total value of your personal injury claim.
Do not settle a claim without consulting an attorney. More often than not, insurers will try to provide you with unfair and low-ball initial settlement offers which do not take into account the full scope of your injuries and damages, and are basically a cheap way to buy you off.
Contact the Law Offices of J. Jeffrey Herman to get a free consultation about your particular case. Call our Ventura County offices at 805-983-2344 or fill out this contact form to find out about other tricks to maximize the value of your car accident claim.
Contact a Ventura County Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident due to the negligence of others, it is important to recover the maximum compensation to ensure your medical and financial needs are met. Ventura County personal injury attorney Jeffrey Herman understands many of the obstacles and challenges accident victims face on a daily basis. He and his legal team are prepared to protect your rights and provide sound legal advice and representation.
To learn more, contact the Law Offices of J. Jeffrey Herman and schedule a consultation to discuss your case.
