Every year, millions of people in Pennsylvania and the United States suffer personal injuries from dog bites, slip and fall accidents, motor vehicle accidents, and medical negligence. Thousands of individuals file claims to receive fair compensation for their injuries. Unfortunately, not everyone who files a claim or starts a personal injury action receives a settlement or judgment in their favor. Unnecessary errors, poor preparation, and tricks used by experienced claims adjusters and insurance defense attorneys can reduce or destroy your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve. Fortunately, there are steps you can take and tips to follow to maximize the value of your injury claim and increase the chances of winning your personal injury case.
Preserve Evidence
The more evidence you obtain and preserve, the more likely you are to receive a fair settlement once your claim is filed or litigated. Do not rely solely on an investigating police officer, witnesses, or friends to obtain and preserve the evidence you will need. Make sure photographs are taken from various angles that show the entire area where the accident occurred. Taking photographs or recording a video immediately after an accident ensures crucial evidence is not removed, cleaned up, or discarded.
Record Witness Information
Ask for the names, phone numbers, email addresses, and social media information of every person who witnessed the accident. Witnesses can verify and confirm your version of the events that led to the accident and your injuries. When you consult an experienced personal injury attorney, the contact information of vital witnesses will greatly enable your attorney to conduct a proper investigation into the facts and circumstances of your accident. If you do not have contact information for witnesses to your accident, you risk losing an opportunity to obtain information to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Attend All Medical Appointments and Be Descriptive
Many adults fail to keep all of their follow-up medical appointments after an accident. Fear of missing work, accumulating expensive medical bills, or a general dislike of doctor’s offices can influence a person’s decision to forgo long-term treatment of injuries. No matter how inconvenient, unpleasant, or stressful it is to continue all suggested and follow through with scheduled medical care, you should always attend all medical appointments and thoroughly describe your pain or discomfort. Do not downplay your injuries because you are embarrassed, self-conscious, or uncomfortable during a medical examination. Carefully and fully describe all of your injuries, pain levels, and concerns to all of your medical providers. Providing this information to doctors, nurses, and physician assistants will help your medical providers properly treat your injuries and aid in corroborating and proving the seriousness and magnitude of your injuries.
Negotiating directly with a claims adjuster often leads to the devaluation or denial of your injury claim. Accident victims who handle a personal injury case on their own fail to realize that, without working knowledge of current law, legal procedures, and tactics used by experienced claims adjusters, it is difficult to obtain a full, fair, and reasonable settlement without the assistance of an experienced injury lawyer. To maximize the value of your personal injury case, you should retain a qualified and experienced personal injury attorney who will fight to preserve your rights.
The aggressive attorneys at Zwick Law are standing by to provide you with the legal advice and representation you need and deserve. We offer personalized attention and work tirelessly to maximize the value of our clients’ injury claims. Our experienced personal injury attorneys are prepared to review your case and handle the time-consuming and stressful task of negotiating with the insurance company. For questions relating to an injury claim, contact Matthew R Zwick, partner of Zwick Law, at (814) 371-6400 or e-mail, to schedule a legal consultation and free case analysis. At Zwick Law, we’re always here for you.
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