Car accident injuries can result in considerable losses. From medical bills to missed work, the associated damages tend to add up fast, and they’re often enough to threaten the victim’s financial security.
That doesn’t mean, however, that car accident victims are always inclined to pursue compensation. Many reason they have enough to worry about while recovering from their injuries. Navigating complex legal proceedings on top of everything else would be too much to bear.
You should know that with a proper workup of the case, most car accident claims don’t actually go to court. The majority of all tort actions, in fact, are settled.
What’s more, victims don’t have to go it alone. By enlisting competent legal help, they can focus on their health, while their claim proceeds in good hands.
Of course, there remain a small percentage of personal injury actions that do end up going to trial, and there’s always a chance yours could be one of them but that decision always rests with the client at our firm. Because legal proceedings are unpredictable—and some of the factors that influence their outcome are ultimately out of the claimant’s control—there’s no way to guarantee your case will stay out of court. You can, however, take steps to increase the chances of securing a satisfactory settlement. Read on to learn what they are:
1. Present Compelling Evidence
A resourceful car accident attorney can help you gather the evidence needed to convince the insurance adjuster of fault. This, in turn, can prevent the kinds of liability-related disputes that typically lead to litigation.
The most valuable evidence that will contribute to your claim will depend on the circumstances surrounding the crash. Generally speaking, though, it might include photographs of the wreckage, dash camera footage, eyewitness testimony, and black box data.
2. Log Damages Diligently
No matter how compelling the evidence of liability is, you’re going to have to demonstrate damages before the insurance adjuster will be inclined to negotiate. This starts with recording all your injury-related expenses. The easiest way to do so is by saving the associated documents—e.g., pictures of the damages, medical receipts, bills, and invoices—and sending them to your legal team for tallying.
You should also start a personal injury journal. Entries about your condition and how it’s impacting your everyday life will come in handy when you have to demonstrate non-economic damages like pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment in life, and mental anguish.
3. Lay Low on Social Media
Insurance adjusters will often take to monitoring online activity in the hopes that they find something that allows them to challenge a claimant’s credibility. As such, it’s advisable to avoid publishing anything about the accident or your injuries, since the content could be misconstrued.
Speak with a South Carolina Car Accident Attorney
Are you planning on filing a car accident claim but you’re worried about all that doing so entails? You can count on Hodge & Langley Law Firm for strategic guidance at every stage of the proceedings.
With nearly 60 years of collective experience in the legal field, our tenacious attorneys know what it takes to hold negligent and reckless drivers accountable. To schedule a free initial consultation with a car accident lawyer in South Carolina, submit our Contact Form or call 864-585-3873.