How to Get More Money From a Car Accident Settlement
Many wonder how to get more money from a car accident settlement, and it usually comes down to proving the full value of your losses.
At The Pendleton Law Team, our Richmond car accident lawyer helps injured people in Richmond and throughout Virginia build claims that account for the full impact of a car accident.
Get Medical Care to Document the Full Extent of Your Injuries
Seeking medical treatment after an accident is important for your health, but it can also affect your injury claim. Medical records create a timeline showing when symptoms began, what injuries were diagnosed, and what treatment was needed. Without those records, an insurer may question whether your injuries were caused by the collision.
Continuing with reasonable treatment recommended by your medical providers is one way you may be able to get more money from a car accident settlement. Skipping appointments or stopping treatment without explanation can create gaps in your medical history. An insurer may argue that these gaps show your injuries were not as serious as claimed.
Do not exaggerate symptoms in an attempt to increase a settlement. Consistent medical documentation can provide much stronger support than trying to make an injury sound worse than it is. Your Richmond personal injury lawyer with the Pendleton Law Team can help you understand what documentation is most pertinent.
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Gather Strong Evidence to Support a Larger Settlement
A car accident claim is only as strong as the evidence behind it. You may know exactly what happened, but an insurance company still needs documentation before agreeing to pay. Gathering evidence early can make it easier to establish both fault and damages.
Useful evidence can include photographs and videos from the crash scene, police reports, witness statements, medical records, and even vehicle repair estimates. The more documentation you can gather regarding your injuries and other accident-related expenses, the better.
Some evidence can disappear quickly. Businesses may overwrite surveillance footage, vehicles may be repaired, and witnesses can become difficult to locate. The Pendleton Law Team may be able to investigate your car accident and work to preserve evidence before it is lost.
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Include More Than Medical Bills in Your Settlement Demand
It can be easy to focus on medical expenses because they provide clear numbers, but this limits your ability to get more money from a car accident settlement. Depending on the case, compensation may account for:
- Past medical expenses
- Expected future medical care
- Lost wages
- Reduced future earning ability
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Other accident-related expenses
Every claim is different. Someone who recovers completely after a few weeks will have different levels of impairment than someone who can no longer perform the same job or participate in activities they once enjoyed. Speak with The Pendleton Law Team today about your case.
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Wait Until You Understand Your Future Medical Needs
Settling quickly can sometimes mean settling before you know how serious an injury will become. A broken bone may heal normally, while another injury could require surgery or months of physical therapy. Certain injuries can also create limitations that continue long after the initial treatment ends.
Future care can be expensive. Surgery, rehabilitation, specialist visits, medications, and other treatment may need to be considered when determining an appropriate settlement. Serious injuries may also affect someone’s ability to earn the same income in the future.
Once a settlement is finalized, you generally cannot reopen the claim because your condition became worse than expected. Waiting until there is a clearer understanding of your prognosis can make it easier to evaluate whether an offer accounts for your future needs. The Pendleton Law Team can help you estimate your future medical needs.
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Do Not Accept the First Settlement Offer Without Reviewing It With a Lawyer
An early settlement offer may be tempting when medical bills are arriving and missed work has put pressure on your household. However, the first offer is not necessarily the most an insurer will pay. According to the Insurance Research Council, those with proper legal representation consistently had higher payouts.
Work with your attorney to review what the offer actually covers. Ask whether future medical treatment, lost income, and other damages have been considered. You should also understand what rights you are giving up by accepting the settlement.
Rejecting an offer does not guarantee that substantially more money will become available. The strength of the evidence, insurance coverage, severity of the injuries, and Virginia law all affect what can reasonably be recovered. The Pendleton Law Team can evaluate an offer and help determine whether it fairly reflects the available evidence.
Stay Off Social Media While Negotiating Your Settlement
Social media can create unnecessary problems during a personal injury claim, preventing you from getting more money from a car accident settlement. Insurance companies may look for publicly available information that appears inconsistent with what someone has said about their injuries.
For example, a photograph showing you smiling at a family gathering does not mean you are no longer experiencing pain. However, an insurer could attempt to use that post to challenge how much the injury has affected you. Posts discussing the accident itself can also create disputes about how the crash happened.
You do not need to disappear from the internet completely. At The Pendleton Law Team, we believe it is in your best interests to be cautious about what you share regarding the accident, your health, and your physical activity, so you can prevent your own posts from becoming another issue in the claim.
Keep Track of How the Accident Has Affected Your Daily Life
Not every loss comes with a bill or receipt. An injury can prevent you from exercising, caring for your children, doing household tasks, or participating in hobbies. Serious injuries may affect sleep, independence, relationships, and other parts of everyday life.
Many victims find it helpful to keep notes about their recovery. Whether that’s writing it down in a journal or just keeping a running list, this information can be a major factor in helping you get more money from your car accident settlement.
Having your personal experiences written down, in addition to medical records, helps provide a full picture of what you have experienced and better showcases how your day-to-day life has been affected by another’s negligence. Let The Pendleton Law Team help you through this difficult time.
Building a Strong Claim Can Help You Pursue the Maximum Available Compensation
One of the best ways you can get more money from a car accident claim is by ensuring you have a strong advocate on your side.
Our attorneys at The Pendleton Law Team are here to fight on your behalf to help you secure the highest possible settlement. Schedule your free consultation today to get started.
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