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Insurance companies often make lowball offers to personal injury victims to avoid paying out large settlements. If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, you’re likely entitled to more money than the initial offer. Fortunately, there are ways to increase your personal injury settlement and receive the compensation you deserve.
Working with an experienced personal injury attorney is one of the best ways to increase your settlement value, but there are other steps you can take to strengthen your case. By taking proactive steps and partnering with Warner Law Offices, you can protect your settlement from the insurance company’s underhanded efforts to reduce the value of your claim.
How to Increase Your Personal Injury Settlement Value
While a higher settlement is never guaranteed, careful planning significantly increases your chances of getting full and fair compensation through your personal injury lawsuit. If someone else’s carelessness caused your injury, the following tips can help strengthen your claim:
1. Decline the Insurance Company's Initial Offer
After filing a personal injury claim, an insurance adjuster will probably contact you with a settlement offer. Insurance companies prioritize profits over people, so the first offer will likely be lower than the full value of your damages. The adjuster may try to convince you that it’s their best offer, but this is a tactic to get you to accept less than you deserve.
Don’t feel pressured to accept the initial offer, as it’s often just the beginning of negotiations. You can always reject lowball offers and negotiate for a higher amount. Our personal injury attorneys are skilled negotiators and can help protect your rights.
2. Get Immediate Medical Attention
Visit a doctor as soon as possible if you’ve been involved in an accident, even if you don’t think you’re injured. Some injuries take time to show symptoms, but you’ll want to get them diagnosed and documented immediately.
If you wait to seek medical attention, the insurance company may argue the accident didn’t actually cause your injuries. By contrast, promptly documented medical care can help demonstrate a clear link between the accident and your injuries.
3. Document the Incident
If you can, take time to gather evidence at the accident scene. Use your phone to gather footage of your injuries, property damage, and any visible hazards that may have contributed to the incident. If there were witnesses, ask for their contact information and statements about what happened. Getting this evidence while the scene is fresh can prevent the insurance company from disputing your version of events.
4. Take Notes About the Aftermath
Your personal injury settlement should include compensation for the injury’s effects on your quality of life. Keep a journal documenting your physical pain, emotional suffering, and any limitations on your daily activities. The more details you provide, the more evidence you’ll have to justify a higher settlement.
5. Track Your Expenses
A fair personal injury settlement should also compensate you for the financial costs you incurred due to the accident. Keep all receipts, bills, and invoices related to your injury. This can help you prove how much you spent on medical treatment, property damage repairs, transportation, and other expenses.
6. Don't Say Too Much
The insurance company will use anything you say against you to reduce your compensation. Don’t tell their insurance adjusters more than the basic facts about the accident, such as when and where it happened.
Do not admit or suggest fault, such as by apologizing or expressing uncertainty about the cause of the accident. Decline the insurance company’s request for a recorded statement. If you’re unsure what to say, refer them to your attorney or explain that you will reach out once you’ve secured legal representation.
7. Avoid Social Media
Insurance adjusters scour injury victims’ social media accounts for evidence to use against them. Avoid posting about the accident on social media while your case is pending. The insurance company may misrepresent unrelated posts to argue that your injuries are less severe than you claim or were not caused by the accident.
8. File Your Claim Before the Deadline
Each state has a deadline for filing a personal injury claim. The West Virginia personal injury statute of limitations is set at two years from the date of the injury. Subject to limited exceptions, you must file your claim before this deadline to avoid losing your right to seek compensation. Take legal action promptly after your injury so you don’t miss out.
9. Work With an Attorney
Negotiating with insurance companies is best left to a skilled personal injury attorney. Insurance companies use various tactics to lower payouts, but our skilled lawyers know how to counter them effectively. Working with an attorney at Warner Law Offices can result in a significantly higher settlement than what you’d get on your own.
Can I Negotiate My Settlement Without an Attorney?
Yes. In theory, you can represent yourself in a personal injury lawsuit. However, insurance companies have experienced legal teams and extensive resources to fight your claim. Building a strong claim can also be challenging when dealing with injuries, especially without legal expertise.
Our attorneys can level the playing field by handling all aspects of your case, from gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance adjusters. We understand the tactics they deploy to avoid compensating accident victims fairly. We know how to counter them and maximize settlements through strategic negotiation.
Will Physical Therapy Increase My Settlement Value?
Participating in physical therapy may increase your settlement for a personal injury. Physical therapy is an excellent way to document the progression of your injuries, and the records from your sessions can be strong evidence in negotiations with insurers.
If your doctor prescribed physical therapy as part of your treatment plan, attend all scheduled sessions. Insurance adjusters may use missed physical therapy sessions as evidence that your injuries aren’t as severe as you claim.
Increase Your Settlement Value With Our Personal Injury Attorneys Today
Negotiating a settlement without an attorney is risky because you may accept an offer far lower than you deserve. At Warner Law Offices, our attorneys have extensive experience handling personal injury claims and can accurately determine the full and fair value of your past and future damages. Our aggressive advocacy has resulted in numerous multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for our clients.
Contact us online or call (304) 345-6789 if you were injured due to someone else’s negligence. We’re ready to seek maximum compensation on your behalf. We also offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing out-of-pocket for our services.
