You deserve compensation when you’ve suffered a personal injury due to another party’s negligence. Personal injury cases can involve many areas of the law including vehicle accidents, premises liability, medical malpractice, workers’ compensation claims, and more. Without an attorney on your side, insurance companies and other parties can make it difficult to get you the compensation you need.
You can take several steps to maximize your potential compensation, and a Florida personal injury lawyer or Georgia personal injury lawyer can help you build the strongest possible case. Call Farah & Farah’s personal injury attorneys at (855) 848-6058 for a free, no-obligation case review today.
Collect Evidence & Keep Detailed Records
One of the most important steps to ensure the best compensation is collecting as much evidence as possible. If you or a loved one can take record evidence of the damage, then your case may be more persuasive.
The truth is: if the injury and damage aren’t well documented, memories can fade, witnesses can disappear, and you may have a harder time recovering the full extent of your damages.
Here are some other types of evidence that are useful for building the strongest possible case:
- Photos/videos of the accident scene
- Documentation of your injuries
- Medical bills/receipts
- Police reports
- Clothing or other physical evidence
- Pain journals to track daily pain levels and emotional distress
Seek Medical Treatment
You should get medical attention immediately after an injury, even if you don’t think your injuries are that severe. Sometimes, your injuries may be delayed, and some develop days or weeks later.
Seeking medical treatment as soon as possible also strengthens the outcome of your case because a doctor will document the full extent of your injuries. They will also outline a treatment plan for your recovery. This documentation helps your personal injury lawyer fight for increased compensation.
Act Quickly
You should file a claim as soon as possible. The statute of limitations is a state law that sets a strict time limit for filing different kinds of lawsuits in civil court.
Florida Statutes section 95.11(3)(a) gives plaintiffs four years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Georgia Code § 9-3-33 allows two years, starting from the date of the incident that caused your injuries, to file a personal injury suit.
No two cases are the same. For example, the statute of limitations for wrongful death in Florida is only within two years of the date of the victim’s passing. That’s why it is always best to file your case as fast as you can.
When you follow all deadlines for your case, you are more likely to get the compensation you need. A local personal injury lawyer will help you understand state laws and guide you through every step of the claims process.
Stay Off of Social Media
You may want to share information about the incident with friends and family on social media. However, posting any information about your personal injury is never a good idea. Anything you say or share publicly can be used against you.
For example, avoid posting about events or being out and about. Other parties may use this information to claim that you weren’t injured enough. It’s best to keep to yourself until your case is settled.
Consider Long-Term Damages
While you face many challenges directly after a personal injury, it can also have implications far into the future. For example, you may have short-term medical costs for ER visits and follow-up appointments, but you may require surgery years into the future. Your doctor will be able to create a long-term treatment plan that accounts for the future consequences of the injury.
Damages go far beyond medical costs. You may have missed days at work, causing you to lose paychecks and valuable income. You may deal with daily physical pain years after your injury. Even the emotional toll of a personal injury can have long-term consequences. A personal injury lawyer will use all of these damages to calculate a fair settlement.
Don’t Take the First Offer
While it’s important to report a personal injury to insurance, you should not accept any initial settlement offers. Insurance agencies are probably lowballing your compensation even if you feel like it may be a good deal.
Many long-term damages are available in a personal injury claim that may not be accounted for by insurance adjusters. Talk to a personal injury lawyer before providing any statements or accepting any offers from insurance.
Work With a Personal Injury Lawyer
Personal injuries are overwhelming for you and your family, and you may not know what steps to take to maximize your ultimate compensation. You should contact our personal injury lawyers in Jacksonville and throughout Florida as soon as possible, as they can walk you through every step of the claims process. We will:
- Collect all relevant evidence to build a strong case
- Find you the right medical providers to care for your injuries
- File all paperwork related to your case
- Negotiate a fair settlement
- Determine who is liable for your injuries
- Take your case to court, if necessary
Farah & Farah Can Help Maximize Your Case’s Value
It’s important to take all necessary steps to protect the value of your case. If you’re curious about how to maximize your compensation in a personal injury case, our personal injury lawyers are here to help. We’ve collected millions of dollars in compensation for our clients.
Call Farah & Farah’s personal injury attorneys at (855) 848-6058 for a free, no-obligation case review today.
