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How Do I Maximize My Car Accident Settlement?
Each personal injury case is different, so it’s challenging to tell how much the victim can gain in compensation without talking to an attorney first. When it comes to car accidents in Des Moines, IA, there are several things the victim can do to increase the odds of getting a fair settlement for the damages caused.
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In most cases, the victim needs proper compensation if they want to ensure a full recovery. However, most insurance companies tend to go for lower settlement amounts, which can affect the victim.
Car accidents in Des Moines, IA, can be complex in some cases, so the victim needs everything they can collect to build a strong case against the negligent party or insurance company. It’s important to note that any legal mistake can affect the final settlement, so the victim needs to take all of the following factors into consideration before making a personal injury claim and talk to a Des Moines auto accident lawyer.
What Can a Victim of a Car Accident in Des Moines, IA Get in Compensation?
There are four primary compensation types a person can claim after sustaining car accidents in Des Moines, IA. Not all of those apply to every accident, but it’s still important to know them:
Lost Wages
Depending on how severe the injuries sustained were, the victim may not be able to attend work for some days, which sometimes causes lost income. In those cases, the victim is entitled to claim compensation for lost wages according to how many working days they lost.
Pain and Suffering
A “Pain and Suffering” involves both physical and mental pain. Regarding physical injuries, the victim must take into account current and future issues caused by the accident. On the other hand, car accidents in Des Moines, IA, may also cause extreme anxiety, stress, loss of enjoyment of life, fear, and more.
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As with physical injuries, the victim has to consider the current and future effects that the accident can cause them regarding mental health. Pain and suffering are often complicated to calculate, which is why some juries use a “multiplier” to make that calculation. In those cases, the “Pain and Suffering” is worth a multiple of the victim’s total medical bills or lost wages.
Property/Material Damage
The victim can also get compensation to replace or repair any personal property damaged during the accident, including the vehicle in which they were moving.
Medical Bills
Medical bills include hospital stays, rehabilitation, medication, visits to the doctor, or emergency room bills.
How Can a Victim of a Car Accident Increase the Chances of Winning Fair Compensation?
As mentioned before, there are many guidelines the victim can follow to maximize the chances of winning a personal injury case. However, the best way to assess the situation is to ask a personal injury lawyer for help:
Gathering Evidence
Having enough evidence is key to building a good personal injury case. If possible, it’s recommended to take photos or videos of the scene, write down the contact information of the at-fault party and witnesses, and call the police to make a report.
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Additionally, it’s important to document the injuries with photos as soon as possible. In case the person doesn’t know where to start, a lawyer can help them gather everything they need to build a case.
Seeking Medical Treatment Right Away
Some people wait some months before seeking medical treatment if the injuries weren’t severe. However, if the victim didn’t seek treatment promptly, the insurance company may argue the injuries weren’t as severe as the victim claimed, decreasing the chance of getting proper compensation.
Filing the Claim During the Iowa Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations for car accidents in Des Moines, IA, is typically two years. Overall, this means the victim has two years from the date of the injury to file a claim.
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However, it’s never recommended to wait that long to file the claim since that can decrease the chances of winning the case. Instead, victims should seek legal help as soon as possible.
Work the Case with a Personal Injury Lawyer
Talking to a personal injury lawyer can be the best way to assess all the victim’s options after an accident in Des Moines, IA. While a lawyer is not necessary to file a personal injury claim, it’s always a better option to go for since cases represented by personal injury lawyers often win much higher settlements.
Bottom Line
There are many things to keep in mind after car accidents in Des Moines, IA. Regardless of the injury or accident type, it’s always best to contact a lawyer to help. The victim may have an easier time processing everything happening, and they may also have a higher chance of maximizing compensation.