If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s actions or negligence, you may be in line for a hefty payday. However, you shouldn’t just contact the insurance company, make a claim and hope that luck is on your side when it comes to a fair settlement offer. Insurance companies wouldn’t be the profit giants they are by giving out large or even fair settlement awards every time a claim comes across their desk. They will do everything in their power to nickel and dime you out of fair compensation, so if you just leave your settlement up to luck or chance, you’re sure to be disappointed by the result. In today’s blog, we offer up some smart ways to remove luck from the equation and get fair compensation for your injuries in Minnesota.
Smart Ways To Boost Your Settlement Offer
The insurance company is going to do everything in their power to reduce their liability and to minimize different factors so that they can stand behind a low settlement offer, so you need to take some steps of your own to counter their actions and to provide the basis for a better settlement. Here’s what you’ll want to do:
1. Hire A Lawyer – The insurance company will have a bevy of lawyers on their side, whereas it’s unlikely you’re all that familiar with the personal injury compensation system. You need to have an expert in your corner who can build a strong case and argue on your behalf. A lawyer will also be able to determine what constitutes a fair offer based on the facts of the case or whether the insurance company is trying to pull a fast one on you. Make sure you sync up with a professional if you are attempting to earn injury compensation.
2. Be Detailed In Evidence Collection – Unless you are in need of emergency medical care, try to be as thorough as possible about documenting the scene of the accident and the events that led up to your injuries. Pull out your smartphone and start taking pictures or collecting contact information from anyone who witnessed the accident and can verify your claim. The more evidence you have, the easier it will be to make your case. It’s always better to over-document than under-document the series of events before, during and after your accident.
3. Seek Medical Care Right Away – It is important that you receive medical care in short order after an accident where you are considering filing for compensation. If you delay treatment, the insurance company may argue that you’re not as injured as you claim, or they may suggest that you were actually injured in a different manner. If you’re at all considering filing for injury compensation to assist with medical bills or lost wages, get checked out by a doctor as quickly as possible after your accident.
4. Keep All Receipts – You can be compensated for a number of different factors related to your accident, from the obvious like lost wages and medical bills, to other aspects like replacement services and even travel expenses to and from medical appointments. Keep all your receipts and track all expenses directly or indirectly related to your accident so that they can be included in a settlement award.
5. Be Prepared To Wait – Insurance companies oftentimes hope that they can drag their feet and force the injured individual into accepting a lower settlement offer because they are in need of the money and want to put an end to their case. You’re not going to get your best offer a week after the accident, it’s going to take months or longer. Be prepared to play the waiting game and let your lawyer do their job. Showing a willingness to wait can lead to significantly larger payouts in the long run.
6. Consider The Long-Term – Finally, make sure that any settlement offer appropriately addresses the long-term consequences of your injuries. Getting compensation for recent medical bills is obvious, but if you will need long-term care, the injury is likely to worsen in the future or it affects your potential career trajectory and earnings potential, all of these factors need to be considered in an injury settlement. Don’t just look at the short-term expenses, consider how the rest of your life is impacted by the accident.
If you do all of these things and you trust your injury case to the talented team at Hey Workers, we’re confident you will be satisfied with your injury settlement. For more information, or to talk with a lawyer to see if you may have a valid claim, reach out to our office today at (844) 439-9675.
