How to Maximize Compensation in a Car Accident Case in Fullerton

Data shows that a car crash happens every 5 seconds here in the US. If you have been in a car crash that was not your fault, it’s essential that you get just compensation. Car crashes can have severe, lasting effects. Unfortunately, if you’re not experienced in claiming for a car accident, you might get unknowingly lowballed and walk away with less compensation than you deserve.

Read on to find out how you can maximize compensation for a car accident case in Fullerton.

Seek Medical Attention

If you’ve been in a car crash, it’s very important that you seek medical attention, even if doesn’t feel like you’ve been injured.

Sometimes shock and adrenaline can mask pain signals. What’s more, some injuries only make themselves apparent hours, days, or even weeks after an accident.

For instance, if you received a concussion from the accident, you might not notice any of the symptoms until a few days later. A concussion is a mild form of traumatic brain injury, but concussion symptoms can be hard to spot, especially after the trauma of an accident.

This is just one example of an injury that might go unnoticed right after an accident. Other injuries that might not hurt right away include whiplash, back injuries, soft tissue injuries, and injuries to the knees, spine, shoulders, and wrists.

The sooner you get medical attention for these types of injuries, the better.

What’s more, an initial medical examination can be an important piece of evidence for your claim. If you seek medical help right away, the doctor’s report can arm you with irrefutable evidence that your injuries were a result of the crash.

If you only seek medical attention days or weeks after the accident, the insurance company may try to use this as proof that the injuries weren’t caused by the accident.

Gather Evidence and Keep a Paper Trail

If you want to maximize your claim for a car accident case, keep a paper trail of everything. Whether it’s your doctor’s appointments, your symptoms, time is taken off work, or repairs to your vehicle, make sure you have a record of everything.

This can all be valuable evidence for your car accident claim.

If you are able to, you should also gather as much evidence from the scene of the accident as possible. You should take multiple photos of the damage to your car, any injuries you sustained, and the accident scene. You can also video the scene, the damage, and your injuries.

Finally, try to get the contact details of any eyewitnesses.

Don’t Delay Filing Your Claim

If you want to lay the ground for a successful car accident case it’s also important to file your claim as soon as possible.

If you delay filing your car accident claim, this can make the details of your case far harder to prove. The longer it is between the accident and the start of your claim, the tougher it can be to prove without a doubt that the injuries you sustained were from the accident.

The insurance company might also insinuate that your claim couldn’t have been urgent if you left it so long. Finally, most insurance companies have a cut-off point after which you can’t file a claim.

If you submit too close to the deadline, any small hiccup in the process could put your claim in jeopardy.

If you choose to file a lawsuit, you will need to do so within the period stipulated by your state’s statute of limitations. In California, plaintiffs have 2 years from the date of the accident in which to file a personal injury claim.

Don’t Talk Directly With the Insurance Company

Although you should file your car accident claim as soon as possible, you should avoid speaking directly to the insurance company.

Why? Because the insurer might try to trap you into an admittance of guilt or ask leading questions to downplay the severity of the accident.

If the conversation is on record, the insurer can then use it as evidence against you.

To prevent the insurance company from manipulating the case details, refrain from direct communication and instead hire an attorney to deal with the adjuster.

Don’t Admit Guilt

Another important tip if you want to maximize your claim is to never inadvertently admit guilt. For instance, even if you are not at fault in any way, small things you say can be used against you.

For instance, “I should have seen him coming” could be twisted into an admission. Even apologizing to the other driver at the scene of the accident could later be portrayed as an admission of partial guilt.

Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

It’s also important to seek out legal help if you want to maximize your claim. If you hire a lawyer, they will be able to help build a stronger case. They can connect you with expert medical witnesses, and make sure there are no loose ends.

A good car accident lawyer will know just how to deal with the insurance company. They’ll be able to give you a comprehensive idea of what your claim is worth and know how much to push for during negotiations.

If the insurance company is not coming to the table during negotiations, your car accident attorney will be able to defend your interests in court.

The majority of cases get settled during negotiations, but this doesn’t mean you should try to complete the process alone. Often, the mere act of hiring a lawyer will make the insurance company realize that you mean business and that they have no choice but to make a reasonable offer.

Don’t Accept the First Offer

Finally, keep in mind that you don’t need to accept the first offer you get from an insurance company. The initial offer is usually far lower than what you deserve.

If you’re not sure what’s a fair offer for your injuries, we’d recommend you consult with an attorney. A personal injury lawyer will be able to help you calculate the extent of your damages, including long-term damages such as ongoing medical bills and lost earning potential and subjective damages like pain and suffering.

Do You Need Representation for Your Car Accident Case?

If you’ve been in an accident, it’s only fair that you receive just compensation for your injuries and damage to your vehicle. The above tips will help you maximize your car accident case and receive the compensation you deserve.

Are you in need of a seasoned car accident lawyer to represent your interests? Here at Commonwealth Accident Attorneys, we’ve helped thousands of Fullerton victims.

Not only do we have a proven track record, but we also operate on a contingency basis. In other words, you don’t have to pay us a dime unless we win your case.

Contact us today for a free, no-strings-attached case evaluation.