How to Maximize Your Personal Injury Settlement in California
Maximize your settlement by: seeking immediate medical care, documenting everything, avoiding social media, following treatment plans, and hiring an experienced attorney before accepting any offers.
When you've been injured due to someone else's negligence, you deserve fair compensation. Here are proven strategies to maximize your personal injury settlement.
1. Seek Immediate Medical Care
The timing and consistency of your medical treatment directly impacts your case value. Delays in seeking treatment give insurance companies ammunition to argue your injuries aren't serious.
2. Follow Your Treatment Plan Exactly
Missing appointments or not following doctor's orders can be used against you. Insurance companies monitor this closely and will argue you're not really injured if you skip treatment.
3. Document Everything
Keep detailed records of:
- All medical treatments and prescriptions
- Time missed from work
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- How injuries affect your daily life
- Photos of injuries as they heal
4. Avoid Social Media
Insurance companies regularly monitor social media. One photo of you looking happy or active can be used to argue you're not really injured, even if it doesn't tell the whole story.
5. Don't Accept the First Offer
Initial settlement offers are typically much lower than what you deserve. Insurance companies hope you'll accept quickly before understanding your case's true value.
6. Calculate All Damages
Your settlement should include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
7. Hire an Experienced Attorney Early
Statistics show that injury victims represented by attorneys receive significantly higher settlements than those who go it alone. An experienced attorney knows:
- How to value your case accurately
- What evidence to gather
- How to negotiate with insurance companies
- When to take a case to trial
The Baum Law Firm Advantage
With decades of experience, we've recovered substantial compensation for clients by:
- Thoroughly investigating each case
- Working with medical and financial experts
- Building compelling evidence
- Aggressive negotiation
- Trial preparation and litigation when necessary
Don't leave money on the table. Contact The Baum Law Firm at (951) 200-4265 for a free initial phone consultation to discuss your case.
About the Author
Edward Baum is an experienced attorney at The Baum Law Firm, serving Temecula and Riverside County since 1959. Contact us at (951) 200-4265 for a free phone consultation.