A car accident settlement can provide much-needed financial relief after you’ve suffered injuries in a collision. The compensation you’re entitled to may be significantly higher than the insurance company’s initial offer. Knowing how to get more money from a car accident settlement can help you secure maximum compensation for your damages.
- The most effective way to get more money from a car accident settlement is to work with a Minnesota car accident attorney.
- Using caution when interacting with insurance companies can also improve your chances of maximizing your settlement.
- Insurance companies prioritize their bottom line over your best interests, but high-quality legal representation can level the playing field.
How to Get More Money From a Car Accident Settlement
Your approach to seeking compensation after a car accident can impact the money you receive in a settlement. First and foremost, having an attorney on your side and acting carefully can significantly improve your odds of getting the most out of a car accident settlement. Here are some tips for maximizing your compensation.
Understand Your Damages
You may be compensated for the full extent of damages resulting from your car accident. This can include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning potential, property damage, and more. It’s imperative to enter settlement negotiations with a solid understanding of your case’s value.
It can take several months for these damages to come to full light as you undergo treatment, visit specialists, and recover from your injuries. Your attorney will also need to investigate the accident to determine what your damages are worth. Allow some time for this process to unfold before attempting to negotiate a settlement.
Resist the Urge to Accept an Initial Offer
Insurance companies benefit from paying as little money as possible for car accident settlements. Their early settlement offers will likely be far lower than you deserve. Don’t accept these lowball offers, even if the financial strain you may be dealing with after an accident feels overwhelming.
The insurance adjuster may pressure you into accepting by saying it’s their “best offer” or implying that they’re doing you a favor. These are simply tactics to get you to settle for less than what they owe you. Our negotiation skills can help you secure a higher-value case result. If the insurance company makes an initial offer, consult with an attorney before responding.
Hire an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
Not all attorneys know how to get the most money from a car accident settlement. Choose a Minnesota car accident attorney with a strong track record of securing fair settlements for car accident victims. The right car accident lawyer will keep your case organized and communicate with the insurance company on your behalf to boost your odds of getting more money than the insurer initially offers.
Build a Strong Case
Comprehensive, compelling evidence is the foundation of any successful car accident settlement negotiation. We will thoroughly investigate your case and gather evidence showing how the defendant’s actions contributed to the accident. Strong evidence can also demonstrate the full extent of your damages and the link between the accident and your injuries.
Police reports, medical records, witness statements, and video footage are just some of the evidence that can strengthen your case. Our attorneys know precisely how to present this evidence to support your argument for a higher settlement.
File Your Case as Soon as Possible
Prompt action is necessary to secure a fair settlement through your car accident case. The Minnesota personal injury statute of limitations normally gives six years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. This is longer than most other states’ statutes of limitations, but you don’t want to wait until the last minute.
Evidence and witnesses’ memories can degrade over time, and waiting several years to file your case will weaken your chances of receiving a fair settlement. It’s in your best interest to start working with an attorney sooner than later. Do not wait to contact our skilled Minnesota car accident lawyers.
Avoid Discussing Your Case with the Insurance Company
The insurance company will use anything you say against you. If the at-fault party’s insurance company contacts you directly, decline to discuss details about the accident or your injuries. Refer all questions and requests to your attorney.
Stay Off Social Media
Insurance adjusters will scour your public social media posts for evidence that could discredit your claim. Avoid posting about the accident or any activities that may suggest you are not as injured as you claim. It’s best to stay off social media entirely until your case is resolved.
Make a Good Impression in Court
If your case goes to trial, the jury will consider your demeanor and responses when determining your case’s credibility. Your attorney will advise how to testify effectively. Dressing sharply and speaking respectfully can go a long way. Jurors are more likely to sympathize with a well-mannered plaintiff.
Hurt in an Accident? Talk to a Minnesota Car Accident Lawyer Now
Your choice of legal representation is perhaps the most important factor in maximizing the compensation you recover in a car accident claim. At Sieben Polk P.A., we know how to get the most out of a car accident settlement and are ready to apply those skills in your favor.
Our car accident lawyers have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injured Minnesotans. Contact us online or call (651) 437-3148 to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you maximize your settlement.
