Preparing to file a lawsuit with the help of personal injury lawyers in Richmond? There’s a good chance it won’t go to trial. Statistics suggest only about one out of every 20 personal injury cases reaches the courtroom.Â
In the other 19 cases, those who file personal injury lawsuits work out injury settlements with the defendants in their cases. Doing so is an effective way to recover damages in a personal injury case without enduring a stressful trial.
Hiring experienced personal injury lawyers in Richmond to provide legal representation when you file compensation claims is one way to maximize your settlement. There are also other steps you can take to secure the largest settlement possible so you can use it to cover medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Find legal advice on maximizing a personal injury lawsuit settlement below.
Collect as Much Evidence as Possible
It doesn’t matter if you were involved in a car accident, a slip-and-fall accident, or another type of accident. Right after it occurs, collect as much evidence as you can. It’ll come in handy if you decide to file a lawsuit through one of the personal injury lawyers in Richmond.
As recently as just 20 years ago, collecting evidence at the scene of an accident would have presented problems for people. But according to a recent Pew Research Center survey, about 90% of American adults now have smartphones. Collecting evidence to bolster a personal injury case is often as simple as taking your smartphone out so you can snap photographs and take videos of an accident scene.
The more evidence you collect for a personal injury lawyer, the better your chances of maximizing the settlement claim value in a personal injury case.
Document Everything in the Aftermath of an Accident
While documenting the scene of an accident is important, it’s far from the only thing you should record after you’re involved in a crash. You should also document everything else going on in your life as you aim to recover from your accident injuries.
Make sure you keep:
- Medical records and bills
- Pay stubs
- Contact information for eyewitnesses
You might even want to go as far as to keep a journal documenting how you feel each day following an accident and what tasks you had to take on as part of your recovery process. It can paint a clearer picture of the impact an accident is having on your daily life.
Remain Patient Throughout Personal Injury Settlement Negotiations
Oftentimes, the defendant in a personal injury case won’t be in a huge hurry to strike a settlement deal. The defendant will usually be an insurance company that doesn’t need to worry about figuring out a way to reach a settlement deal for at least the first few months of negotiations with personal injury lawyers in Richmond.
Stay as patient as you can and provide a personal injury lawyer with the space they’ll need to drive a hard bargain during settlement negotiations. You might have to wait months and sometimes even more than a year for these negotiations to end. But not accepting the first settlement offer or even the first few settlement offers you receive could pay off in a big way.
Contact Us To Hire the Right Personal Injury Lawyers in Richmond for Your Case
Maximizing a settlement starts with bringing the right personal injury lawyers in Richmond on board to handle your case. Geoff McDonald & Associates can deliver the legal advice you need throughout your personal injury case. Call us at 804-888-8888 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.