How to Maximize Your Car Accident Settlement

Ward Black Law | | News
Two cars crashed on road

Many different factors can impact the value of your North Carolina car accident settlement. The team at Ward Black Law explores the facts and evidence that could impact your compensation and will help maximize your car accident settlement.

What Impacts Car Accident Settlement Amounts?

Any of the following factors can impact the value of your car accident settlement:

  • The types and severity of your injuries – Victims with disabling injuries and severe injuries that take longer to heal are typically awarded more compensation.
  • Your lost wages – The more time you miss at work while you recover from your injuries, the more compensation you could likely receive for lost wages.
  • The other party’s actions – If the other party was mostly or entirely at fault for the accident, you are more likely to receive more compensation.
  • Your age – When adjusters and the courts calculate projected future losses due to disabilities, you are more likely to receive more compensation if you are younger and have more working years ahead.
  • Your overall health and pre-existing conditions – If you were already in poor health or suffering from pre-existing conditions before the accident, you may have more difficulties obtaining full compensation for your injuries.
  • Your pain and suffering – You may receive more compensation if you endure substantial, well-documented pain and suffering due to your injuries.
  • Whether you settle or go to trial – Although suing for compensation can be time-consuming and expensive, in some cases, going to trial rather than settling could result in higher compensation, though trials always come with risk.
  • Your property damage – You can typically expect more compensation if your car was extensively damaged or was a total loss.

Ways to Maximize Your Settlement After an Accident

To protect your legal rights and maximize your car accident settlement, you can:

Seek prompt medical attention and follow through on your doctor’s orders.
Gather as much evidence as possible and hang on to crash-related documents.
Don’t talk to the insurance company before consulting with a lawyer.
Stay off of social media and avoid sharing information about your claim online.
Be patient and don’t take the first settlement offer, as it is unlikely to cover all of your accident-related losses.
Call a car accident lawyer for a free, no-risk case review.

What Evidence Can You Gather to Maximize Your Settlement?

You can gather the following types of valuable supporting evidence to boost your claim and help you get the best settlement possible:

  • The police accident report
  • Statements from eyewitnesses who saw the crash occur
  • Opinion letters from expert witnesses such as accident reconstruction specialists
  • Medical reports, records, and bills from your accident-related check-ups
  • Physical evidence such as pieces of your damaged automobile
  • Photographs and video footage of the accident scene, your injuries, your car, and the at-fault driver’s car
  • Evidence of your injuries worsening, such as from follow-up appointments
  • Daily logs of the pain and suffering you endure recorded in a journal
  • Pay stubs and other documents showing lost wages from missed time at work
  • Bills, invoices, receipts, and proof of any other expenses related to the accident
  • Pictures of your injuries throughout the healing process

What Should You Avoid While Negotiating a Car Accident Settlement?

When negotiating a car accident settlement, you should steer clear of:

  • Attempting to settle your claim without adequate documentation
  • Apologizing or admitting fault for the accident
  • Providing written or recorded statements to the insurance company without consulting a lawyer
  • Sharing information or photos about the accident, your health, or your claim on social media
  • Thinking you have to accept the first settlement offer you receive
  • Taking any settlement offer without first consulting an experienced and trusted attorney

Get Help from Ward Black Law Now

Ward Black Law is committed to seeking justice and fair compensation on behalf of injured people like you. Call or text (336) 333-2244 or contact us online today for your free initial case review to learn more about how we can support you through this trying time.