Maximizing a personal injury settlement in South Carolina involves taking several key steps and avoiding several common mistakes. Insurance companies always look out for their best interests rather than the best interests of those seeking compensation. So, it’s vital that you know how to put yourself in the best position possible to take on the insurance company.
Understand What Your Personal Injury Claim Is Worth
Understanding what your claim is worth is one of the most critical factors in getting the most out of your personal injury settlement in South Carolina. Because insurance companies want to protect their bottom lines, they’ll often offer settlements well below the actual value of your claim. And knowing its value can protect you from agreeing to a lowball settlement offer.
When you work with an experienced personal injury lawyer, they’ll evaluate your claim and calculate its worth. They do this by looking at your medical bills, lost wages, other expenses, and intangible losses related to your injuries, such as how they affect your everyday life. Many people don’t realize that these intangible losses can add significant value to your claim. Properly assessing them is important.
Once your lawyer knows what your claim is worth, they can prevent you from accepting low offers and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf for a settlement that covers all of your losses.
Document Everything Thoroughly
It’s essential that you thoroughly document everything related to your personal injury case, from the accident that caused your injuries to your injuries themselves to your treatment and expenses. This documentation will be crucial for establishing the at-fault party’s liability for your injuries.
Some of the most effective ways you can document your case are:
- Taking Accident Scene Photographs: Whenever possible, photograph the accident scene before it gets cleaned up. This could be the scene of a car accident or a slip and fall. It doesn’t matter what kind of incident caused your injuries. It’s important to document what the scene looked like at the time, as these photos may capture crucial evidence.
- Gathering Eyewitness Contact Info: If third parties witnessed the incident that caused your injuries, ask for their names and contact information. You don’t need to get statements from them right away. As long as you have their contact info, your lawyer can follow up to ask questions about what they saw.
- Writing Pain Journal Entries: Writing things down is a great way to help you recall what happened. In a journal, you should write down all the details about the incident that you remember. You can also keep track of your daily pain levels and how your injuries affect your ability to complete routine tasks.
- Updating Medical Records: Always make sure doctors and other healthcare professionals update your medical records with relevant information. For example, if the pain caused by your injuries worsens over time, you want your doctor to make a note of this. Your medical records can be essential for proving the severity and extent of your injuries.
- Keeping Medical and Service Bills: Make sure to keep all bills related to the incident together in a file. Your lawyer will use these bills when calculating your expenses.
Avoid Common Mistakes That Hurt Your Claim
Many individuals with personal injury claims make the same mistakes. These errors end up hurting their cases and can cause them to recover less compensation through a settlement. Common mistakes to avoid in your case include:
- Not Following Up with Medical Treatment: You should always follow up with your medical treatment until you fully recover. Or, if a full recovery isn’t possible, continue your treatment until your doctor says you will not recover further. This will show the insurance company that you took your injuries seriously. Additionally, it can help reduce the chances of medical complications down the line.
- Not Reporting the Incident to the Police: Always report incidents resulting in injury to the police and have them come to the scene to file an official report. You may need a copy of this report if you’re filing an insurance claim, such as in a car accident case.
- Speaking to the Insurance Adjuster: Never talk to the insurance adjuster without your lawyer present. The insurance adjuster’s job is to get you to admit fault for the accident. They’ll also try to get you to say something they can twist into seeming as if you admitted partial fault. Your lawyer will protect your rights when dealing with insurance companies.
- Posting on Social Media: Avoid posting on social media while your case is still active. Even if you aren’t posting about the incident or your injuries, the insurance company will likely be keeping an eye on your account and the accounts of your friends and family. They may take posts out of context and claim they demonstrate that your injuries aren’t real, so it’s best to avoid posting altogether and to lock down your account.
Let Your Attorney Handle All Negotiations
The best way to come out on top in settlement negotiations is to leave them to your attorney. Personal injury attorneys have extensive experience dealing with insurance companies and know how to handle the negotiation tactics they use. Your attorney will also use their knowledge of what your case is worth to reject lowball settlement offers and fight for the compensation you need.
Don’t try to negotiate with the insurance company on your own. They’ll attempt to take advantage of you by using sneaky negotiation tactics or only offering settlements below what your case is worth.
Contact Our South Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers
After sustaining an injury caused by someone else in South Carolina, you need a lawyer. A seasoned lawyer can fight for your rights and the compensation you need for your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. Contact Murphy Crantford Meehan for a free consultation with a highly qualified personal injury lawyer. Our team has over 50 years of combined legal experience and is ready to help you seek fair compensation for your injuries.
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