Thousands of people are injured each day in car crashes, slip-and-fall accidents, and other mishaps, and many of them suffer injury, loss, or damage due to another person’s negligence. If you suffer injuries because another party acted recklessly, you could take action to seek compensation. This could involve filing a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party or submitting a claim to their insurance company. In either situation, there are steps that you could take that may increase your chances of receiving a fair settlement.
Steps to Take After an Accident
The actions that you take in the minutes after an accident can cast a long shadow. They could either put you firmly on the path to a settlement, or they could leave you or your attorney with a lot of catching up to do. To start your personal injury claim positively, you should:
- Seek medical treatment: It is always a good idea to seek medical treatment after an accident because you may be hurt and not know it. If you refuse medical help, the negligent party could claim that you were not seriously injured.
- Gather information: You should gather the contact details of any witnesses who saw the events unfold. Eye-witness testimony can be very powerful.
- Take photographs: The photographs you take at an accident scene can be very important. They can be used to identify witnesses and establish what the conditions were like at the time.
- Call 911: An official police report will be one of the most important pieces of evidence in your personal injury case, and reporting even minor car accidents is a legal obligation in most states.
The Road to a Settlement
Personal injury cases can be settled in a few days or drag on for months or even years. If you suffered serious injuries and are entitled to significant compensation, you can expect your case to last for several months at least. During this time, you can improve your chances of receiving adequate compensation and make your attorney’s life a lot easier by:
- Attending all of your medical appointments: Your settlement will be largely based on the severity of your injuries and how they affected your life. Make sure that you attend all of your health care appointments and keep all of your doctor and hospital bills.
- Tracking your lost income: You will be entitled to compensation for your lost income if your injuries prevented you from working for even a single day, so hold on to your paystubs and time sheets.
- Keeping a pain diary: Noneconomic damages for things like pain and suffering or emotional anguish can be difficult to calculate. A diary that details the discomfort you endured daily could be very useful when you or your attorney sit down to negotiate a settlement.
How Much Will I Receive?
Every accident is different, so there is no simple answer to this question. Cases involving serious injuries typically settle for about $50,000, but some accident victims receive seven-figure settlements. If you suffered minor injuries like a broken arm or whiplash, you can expect to receive between $3,000 and $10,000. You could receive more if your injuries prevented you from working for a long time or forced you to change jobs, and you could receive less if you acted negligently and played a part in causing the accident.
