Victims of car crashes, dog bites, slip and falls, and other accidents can file a personal injury case to help pay for their damages. No matter how cut and dry a case may seem, insurance companies and other negligent parties will do everything possible to limit their liability and distance themselves from paying out what victims deserve.
Marion County residents who’ve been the victim of an accident that wasn’t their fault can schedule a free consultation with an Ocala personal injury lawyer to discuss their options. Regardless if you’ve been offered a quick settlement or have been denied claims, there are several things you can do to receive maximum compensation for your injury.
Table of Contents
Tips for Maximizing Compensation for a Florida Personal Injury Case
No matter how basic a case may seem, personal injury cases can have subtle nuances that can make or break even those that seem like slam dunks. Plaintiffs can oftentimes sabotage their cases by making the simplest of innocent errors. To ensure you receive maximum compensation for your damages, here are 5 key elements common to personal injury lawsuit victories.
Work With a Personal Injury Attorney
First and foremost, a personal injury case should never be attempted without the skill and guidance of an experienced Florida personal injury law firm. Florida’s personal injury laws can be difficult for the layperson to comprehend, and with so many nuances to the law, the uninitiated could easily go astray.
Florida’s personal injury statute of limitations has been decreased from 4 to 2 years, so it’s imperative to begin working with a legal professional sooner rather than later. If you attempt to file a case more than 2 years after your accident, your claim will most likely be denied.
Document Everything
To obtain a successful settlement, Florida requires the plaintiff to prove that an accident occurred due to a negligent person, entity, or product’s actions and that the accident caused harm. To do so, victims should maintain an accident journal to document everything relating to the accident and their injuries. Medical appointments can be easily forgotten, as can when new symptoms or conditions arise.
You need to present evidence to file your case, and with assistance from your lawyer, you can gather all of the necessary evidence to prove your claims. Common types of personal injury evidence can include:
- Accident reports
- Medical documents
- Medical bills
- Photos or videos of the accident scene
- Photos of your injuries
- Eyewitness statements
Tread Lightly on Social Media
Regardless of what most people think, the defendant’s legal team can use anything you post on your social media accounts. It’s advisable to be incredibly careful with what you post on your socials, and it’s best to leave out anything about your accident and your lawsuit. If you claim a loss of quality of life, but your social media posts paint a different picture, a harmless family photo of happy times can sabotage your case. Resisting the urge to vent on social media is the best choice.
Continue Medical Treatment
To ensure that your injuries and medical conditions are valid, you’ll need to follow your doctor’s orders to the letter of the law. Gaps in treatment or postponing physical therapy appointments can be used against you as proof that your injuries aren’t severe enough to claim compensation.
Be Careful Who You Talk To
Savvy insurance companies or defense attorneys may contact you under the guise of allowing you to tell your side of the story. They may even ask you to give them a recorded statement. Their strategy isn’t for your benefit; they can limit their liability by asking leading questions to get you to admit to something they’ll use against you. Any requests for a statement or information should be directed to your attorney.
Tips for Maximum Compensation for Your Personal Injury Case: Final Thoughts
Florida personal injury cases can be a difficult landscape for the novice to traverse alone. It’s far too easy for victims to make honest mistakes that can ultimately sabotage the right to receive the maximum compensation for their damages.
Working with an experienced personal injury attorney with extensive knowledge of your type of accident case is the best way to ensure you win your case. Avoiding social media mistakes and talking to the wrong people about your claims are valuable tips. To get the most for your damages, follow your lawyer’s advice. They have the know-how and experience and are on your side.
