How to Speed Up a Personal Injury Settlement
Accidents are enormously expensive. Many people are shocked to see their first medical bill after surviving a car or truck accident. And the medical bills are only one part of the equation. Due to serious bodily pain, many of our clients cannot work for months, which means they have no incoming coming in at all. With bills piling up, some begin to wonder if they need to declare bankruptcy.
A timely settlement can bring much needed relief to families struggling with the effects of brain injuries or broken bones. Follow these tips and strategies for speeding up a personal injury settlement.
Steps You Can Take to Speed Up Your Case
First, you should hire a personal injury lawyer quickly. South Dakota doesn’t require that you have an attorney, but an experienced lawyer can smooth out the claims process. A lawyer will know how to find the right evidence to establish liability and can ensure you don’t accept a settlement that is too small. A lawyer will also get in contact with the insurance companies involved in the claim.
Some insurers drag their feet for strategic reasons. They know injured victims need money, and they hope you will accept a small settlement out of desperation. Hire a lawyer who can light a fire under the insurance adjusters involved in your case.
Second, you should provide any requested information to your lawyer as soon as possible. Your lawyer might ask for the names of every doctor or hospital that you visited. Get this information to them as fast as you can. Any delay on your end will only slow up the negotiation process.
Third, make yourself easy to get in touch with. Ultimately, the injured victim decides whether to accept a settlement. You should stay in close contact, updating your phone number or email with your lawyer, if necessary. The last thing you want is your attorney being unable to reach you to discuss a time-sensitive issue.
Fourth, don’t do anything that will undermine your claim. One reason settlement negotiations slow down is because there are disputes regarding fault. You shouldn’t be surprised if after a car accident the other driver tries to pin some of the blame on you. Disputes regarding fault can bring negotiation to a screeching halt.
Sadly, some people post something on Facebook which the other side interprets as an admission of fault. Maybe you recount the accident and mistakenly say you weren’t paying attention or you were too tired while driving home. The other side can seize on these statements to argue you are at least partially to blame.
Working through disagreements regarding fault takes time and the result is a delayed settlement. Ideally, you will post as little as possible on social media.
Speak with a Sioux Falls Personal Injury Lawyer
Hoy Law knows South Dakota personal injury law like few other firms. We combine the high-powered legal skills of a large firm with the intimate feel of a small litigation boutique. Call our office to schedule a free consultation with one of our Sioux Falls personal injury lawyers today.
