What Should I Do to Maximize My Car Accident Settlement?

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you could be entitled to compensation from the at-fault party. But before you get to that point, you have to gather evidence, consult with a West Chester car accident attorney, and prove your case. The good news is that there’s a lot you can do to maximize your car accident settlement—and we can help you make the strongest case possible.

Call Kingbird Legal at 484-289-4880 to set up a consultation with our team of personal injury attorneys right away. We’re here to help you fight for fair and full compensation.

Prioritize Evidence Collection

One of the best things you can do to maximize your car accident settlement is to prioritize evidence collection at the scene of the crash. You only get one chance to take photos and video footage of the scene crash, so make the most of that opportunity. Documentation of the location of the crash, the weather and road conditions, and the position both vehicles ended up in can go a long way in proving liability and highlighting your damages. If anyone stops at the scene to provide assistance, you should also get their contact information; eyewitness testimony can be an incredibly valuable piece of evidence in a Pennsylvania car accident case.

Reach Out to an Attorney Early

People have different approaches to bringing an attorney into their car accident claim. Some reach out to a lawyer right away, wanting to avoid the stress of a legal claim while recovering from a car accident. Others wait until they have already tried to negotiate with the insurance company on their own and failed to secure a fair settlement. 

It’s always best to get a lawyer involved earlier rather than later; the longer you wait, the more likely it is that important evidence will be lost or degraded. You also risk saying something to the insurance company that damages your claim and makes it harder to recover the compensation you deserve.

When you retain an attorney for your accident claim, they take over communication with the insurance company. They don’t have a chance to trick you into a recorded statement, convince you that the accident is your fault, or otherwise limit your compensation.

Attend All of Your Doctor Appointments

If you want maximum compensation for your car accident claim, it is crucial to seek medical care as soon as possible after a crash. You need to not only prove the extent of your injuries but also prove that your injuries were directly caused by the other party’s actions. Waiting days or weeks to seek medical attention leaves plenty of room for doubt. The good thing is that there are lots of options in the West Chester area, including American Family Care Urgent Care and Chester County Hospital at Penn Medicine.

Once you begin medical treatment, it is crucial to keep up with your doctor’s recommended treatment schedule and appointments. Failing to adhere to your treatment plan gives the insurance company leeway to limit your compensation and claim that you aren’t doing what you can to mitigate your damages. If you have to reschedule, reschedule on the spot and make sure you attend your next appointment.

Follow Your Attorney’s Advice

Throughout this process, you may get unwanted advice from a lot of people—including people with no legal experience and people who haven’t even ever pursued a personal injury claim. They’ll tell you to blast the negligent party on social media, take your story to the news, or frivolously claim extra injuries and financial losses. This is why you should only take advice from your attorney. The decisions you make during this time can cause significant damage to your claim or even bar you from recovering compensation at all. Your attorney knows what to expect from a personal injury claim and can guide you through it without issue.

Start Your Case with Kingbird Legal

Ready to start your personal injury claim and pursue full and fair compensation? Let’s talk. Reach out to our team online or call us at 484-289-4880 to schedule a consultation with our team of experienced and committed personal injury lawyers in West Chester.