The damage caused in a car accident can be completely overwhelming. You’ll have physical pain, suffering and limitation to deal with, and the emotional trauma of the event can leave you scarred for life. On top of all that, the financial implications of your recovery can be tremendous. Long-term treatment and rehabilitation may be needed, which can quickly add up to crushing debt that threatens your ability to keep a roof over your head and food on the table.
The good news is that a personal injury case may provide the relief that you need, giving you financial resources to pay for your treatment and stabilize your livelihood while providing you with a sense of accountability and justice. But as you navigate your claim, you’ll likely be offered a settlement. Before snatching it up, though, you have to consider whether it fully covers the extent of your damages to a satisfactory level. To make that determination, you also have to know how to get the most out of your claim.
It’s up to you to raise arguments demonstrating the extent of your losses. Therefore, as you build your personal injury case, you should be sure to do the following:
- Keep receipts and invoices: There are going to be a lot of smaller purchases following your accident. Medication and medical equipment like crutches or a wheelchair may be necessary, and so, too, could things like bandages. If you’ve paid for these out-of-pocket, then you should be sure to keep all receipts so that you can include those losses in your claim. Never feel like you being too detailed here, as all of these small purchases can add up to larger amounts.
- Follow your doctor’s recommendations: If you cut your treatment short, then you’ll cut your legal case short. To adequately prove the harm that’s come to you, you have to adhere to your doctor’s recommendations for treatment, care and rehabilitation. By doing so, you’ll create a paper trail that makes it a lot easier to prove the nature of your condition, your prognosis, the expenses you’ve incurred and the treatment you anticipate needing moving forward. So, be open and honest with your doctor about every symptom that you experience and ask question to ensure you’re clear about what follow up treatment is needed.
- Keep a journal: Noneconomic damages, like pain and suffering, mental anguish and lost enjoyment of life, can make up a significant part of your compensatory recovery. But since these are intangibles, they can be difficult to prove. Keeping a journal of how your accident injuries prohibit you from living a normal and fulfilling life can be persuasive evidence during settlement negotiations and at trial.
- Consult with experts: To get the most out of your claim, you need to be forward looking and present evidence showing what compensation is needed to offset losses that have yet to come. Expert witnesses who can speak about your medical condition and how your injuries affect your ability to work and advance in your career can be helpful here. So, be diligent about securing expert opinions that can help support your claim.
We know that facing the personal injury lawsuit process can feel overwhelming at times, but you can’t be overly daunted by it. Instead, you have to be ready to advocate for a fair and just outcome that positions you for a successful recovery that puts your life back on track. This will require legal know-how and a command of the facts, but with a little work on your part you can secure the support necessary to build a compelling and persuasive case.
