How Do I Increase My Personal Injury Settlement?

If you’re dealing with an injury sustained from an accident and are filing a personal injury claim for your suffering, you need substantial evidence to increase the potential value of your personal injury settlement. When seeking to recover the full value of a personal injury case, people mostly choose to work with a personal injury law firm. Contracting these services from a licensed and experienced law firm can provide guidance about the claims process and clarity in estimating your settlement amount. This article will explain what damages you can claim and the critical strategies for handling a personal injury lawsuit to maximize your settlement amount.

How to Establish Your Personal Injury Claim

Establishing your personal injury claim requires some basic information from you: what happened and how it happened, what injuries occurred, who was involved, etc. These details will help your personal injury attorney determine whether or not your claim is valid and how much compensation you may be able to receive from the insurance company. When filing a claim, It’s essential to collect evidence such as photographs or videos from the accident scene, medical receipts, scans and relevant information from your doctor, police report, written communications between you and the involved parties, and any bills related to the property damage. 

If there is evidence that you suffered an injury because of the negligence or misconduct of someone else, then you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and lost wages. To file a lawsuit, you’ll need to file a complaint in civil court that outlines the facts of the case and gives the court jurisdiction to hear your case. Once you’ve filed your claim, the court will set a hearing date for a trial. At the trial, your personal injury attorney will present evidence and make arguments to convince the judge that you are entitled to damages. Fortunately, settlements are possible in most personal injury cases, allowing plaintiffs to reach an agreement directly with the defendant without going to trial.

Damages You Can Claim

Every state has laws outlining the scope of damages that plaintiffs can recover in a personal injury lawsuit. A plaintiff can generally seek compensation for property damages, medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses due to the accident. In some cases, the court may even award plaintiffs punitive damages to punish the defendant for behavior that is grossly negligent or intentional.

In most cases, however, defendants refuse to admit that they are responsible for the injuries sustained by the plaintiff and dispute the claim to minimize the payout. For this reason, working with a personal injury lawyer is essential to build a strong case and maximizing your chances of winning a favorable settlement to compensate for your suffering and loss.

Types of Damages

Working with a personal injury lawyer helps to determine the type of damages that you can claim. The most common types of damages awarded in personal injury lawsuits are compensatory damages and punitive damages. Compensatory damages compensate the plaintiff for the losses resulting from the accident, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Punitive damages are a form of punishment against the defendant, typically only applied in cases where the court wants to punish the defendants for their actions and to provide a deterrent to future similar behavior by others. 

An experienced attorney can help ensure that you present a strong claim and will work diligently to get you the maximum compensation possible in your case.

Negotiating with the Insurance Company

Most personal injury cases settle out of court before trial, so negotiating with the insurance company is crucial. Before filing a lawsuit, it’s imperative to have an experienced attorney attempt to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company responsible for paying your claim. An experienced personal injury lawyer will understand how much your case is worth and can negotiate with the insurance company to get you a fair settlement as quickly as possible so that you can completely focus on your recovery.

When you hire a personal injury attorney from a firm like Ferrante & Dill, LLC fighting for you and your interests, you stand a better chance of being treated fairly and receiving fair compensation for your losses. 

Consult with a Personal Injury Lawyer Today

After suffering an injury in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, most people don’t know where to turn for help. At Ferrante & Dill, we provide compassionate legal representation to victims injured due to other people’s carelessness in Calvery County, Charles County, St. Mary’s County, and the surrounding areas. We understand the impact a serious accident can have on a person’s physical and emotional health. We are committed to helping our clients recover the compensation they are entitled to.

If you or someone you love has suffered an injury in a motor vehicle accident, a slip-and-fall accident, or another type of accident caused by someone’s negligence, contact the personal injury attorneys at Ferrante & Dill today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal rights and options. We can help you determine whether you have a claim and how to pursue it and help you get the full value of your personal injury case for your pain and suffering. No one should go through the process of dealing with an injury alone. Call Ferrante & Dill today at (410) 535-6100 to take the first step toward getting justice and compensation and consult with a personal injury lawyer.