The do’s and don’ts of personal injury claims (how to maximize your settlement)
DO:           Keep your doctor appointments. Missed appointments mean less money because the insurance company will claim that you aren’t as badly injured as you say you are.
DON’T:    Tell people about your case. Friends and family will often find reasons for you to either loan or give them money. I’ve seen this happen way too many times. Just keep it to yourself.
DO:          Keep track of where you’ve gone for treatment. It seems obvious, but you would be surprised at how many times my clients have failed to tell me everywhere they’ve treated and come back to me after the case is settled saying that some medical provider is hounding them for money.
DON’T:   Do a recorded statement without an attorney present. Insurance companies love to do recorded statements because they can use them to trick you into saying something that you shouldn’t.
DON’T:   Hound your attorney’s office all the time. They say the squeaky wheel gets the grease but in this case you’re just shooting yourself in the foot. They may try to get you to settle for something less than you deserve just to get rid of you, or worse, they may even drop your case.
DO:         Keep your phone and address up to date with your attorney’s office. This one probably seems obvious but it warrants mention. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to call on my private investigator to find clients. When a settlement offer comes in your lawyer needs to be able to contact you as quickly as possible.
DON’T:  Get an advance on your settlement. As I’ve said before, these cash advance companies charge outrageous interest rates. They’re out to get your settlement!
DO:        Be patient. Sometimes it takes some time to get a good settlement. Each insurance company is different, as is every adjuster. Some move quickly, others don’t. If suit has to be filed that can actually be a good thing. Your attorney is likely getting paid a percentage so if the case goes on for an extended amount of time it doesn’t cost you anything. However, it does cost the insurance company money because they are most likely paying their attorney by the hour.
After working in the legal profession for 10+ years and NOT being an attorney I’m excited about a new book that I found that outlines the path to becoming one online. I’ve got plenty of time to kill here at work… for example, I started this blog!
