After you've decided to file a personal injury claim, it's up to you to do everything possible to maximize the compensation you may receive. Making a full recovery from any injuries you've sustained will often depend on your receiving adequate compensation to get through the recovery process.
The first thing you should do is contact an injury lawyer in New Mexico to determine how substantial your case is. Then, everything you do after you've been injured will be important, and there are some things you can do that will help to improve your personal injury claim. It's important for you to know which aspects of your case are directly under your control, and it may help you get the maximum accident settlement amount.
This article will focus on some of the things you can do to improve your personal injury case and receive maximum compensation for your injuries. These recommendations are valid whether you're seeking a car accident settlement or reimbursement for any other type of accident.
Preserve All Evidence
It's very important that any evidence associated with your personal injury be preserved in good condition. The insurance adjuster or court will base their decision in part on all available evidence available in your personal injury case. The more evidence you have, and the better preserved it is, the greater the likelihood of you winning the case will be.
Photos are very important in the immediate aftermath of a personal injury, as are any medical records associated with treatment you receive. There's simply no substitute for solid evidence in a case involving a personal injury, because it provides clear facts about your accident. Evidence can influence the level of fault you and the other party are determined to have contributed to the accident, which directly impacts your settlement.
Get Medical Treatment
It's always a good idea to get medical treatment after suffering a personal injury, even if you don't feel the injury has been serious. It might very well turn out something serious develops a day or two later.
If you're not sure about the extent of your injuries, it is especially important to get medical treatment from a qualified doctor or medical professional. In the event that your physician recommends a specific treatment plan, you should follow those recommendations to the letter, so as to strengthen your case and properly recover from your injuries.
Don't Delay Filing
Once you've been involved in an accident that causes a personal injury, you have only a limited amount of time to file your claim. This will be a very important aspect of having your case reviewed and then attempting to seek a settlement. It's also important to file your claim as soon as possible, so that any evidence involved in the case can be preserved and then used in court if necessary. You can always find out from your lawyer what the time limit may be for filing your personal injury claim and any other deadlines you should be aware of to ensure you put your claim in well ahead of time. In New Mexico the statute of limitations on personal injury cases is three years. In Arizona, the statute of limitations is two years. Depending on your case, other rules may apply that decrease or increase the deadlines you must adhere to throughout your personal injury claim process.
Find a Good Injury Lawyer in New Mexico
Our New Mexico personal injury lawyers provide free consultations. We get paid once you receive your settlement or jury verdict. It's important that you talk with an attorney as soon as possible about your claim, and it's doubly important if you are so injured that you can't handle the claim yourself. Having a good lawyer allows you to take the time you need to recover, instead of filing your claim and communicating back and forth with the insurance company.
After you have secured representation, your lawyer will communicate with the insurance companies on your behalf. This will save you from the possibility of being low-balled and offered a subpar settlement. Your New Mexico attorney will help you to secure fair compensation for your personal injuries so that you can get back to living your life.
Keep Future Costs and Damages in Mind
Make sure to have a discussion with your lawyer about possible future damages when the time comes to negotiate a settlement. It's entirely possible that you will have ongoing medical expenses and related costs as a result of your personal injury. They should all be included in any settlement, as long as you can justify them. Read about the most important things to include in your personal injury settlement on our blog here.
Avoid Social Media
It's a good idea to avoid social media entirely after suffering a personal injury because if you are having a good time with friends online, it can paint an entirely different picture of your pain and suffering. Anything that you say or do could conceivably be held against you by the insurance adjuster or in a trial if it gets to that point. You can assume that the insurance company is watching your social media activity, and you don't want to make any missteps that would damage your case.
That being the case, it's definitely in your best interest to keep quiet and avoid social media. Let your personal injury attorney do the talking to ensure you get fair compensation for your injuries. Until any kind of settlement has been officially agreed upon, it's good practice to limit conversations about your claim on social media and off social media.
Keep Track of Everything
You should remember to organize all the paperwork related to your injury claim. It's possible that some of this paperwork can be used as documentation to support your claim. Make sure all actions that you take are timely, and are within any limitations established by the court system. Your lawyer should be able to ensure that everything gets accomplished on time, as long as you provide all paperwork in an organized fashion.
Get a Lawyer to Review Your Case
Our lawyers provide free initial case reviews, so you can be aware of the next best steps in your potential injury claim. What you do next can greatly influence the settlement amount you are ultimately awarded. Know that we provide resources on our blog to help you understand the general processes that may apply to your case, but you should not use any Googled legal research in lieu of actually speaking with an injury lawyer about your case. Every case is different, and a blog is not legal advice. Schedule a consultation with our knowledgeable injury lawyers in New Mexico by calling or texting 602-345-1818. You may also fill out our consultation request on our contact page. You're not in this alone. Let us have your back to help you get the compensation you deserve and need to recover.