Seeing as the settlement you get from your car accident claim is likely what determines your quality of life moving forward; it makes the most sense for you to maximize the amount as much as possible.
The steps you take after the crash can either build a strong case for you or slowly work against you. So if your goal is to walk away with a fair traffic accident settlement , you’re going to need to be sharp, detailed, and deliberate from the start.
Start With the Traffic Crash Report
Before anything else, call the police. Even if it looks like a small fender-bender, don’t just shake hands and drive away. You need that official report because it’s basically the backbone of your entire case.
The police don’t just show up to clean things up. They’re there to investigate. And through that process, they’ll write up something called a traffic crash report. This document includes exact details about what happened, including the time, date, exact location, lighting conditions, weather, and more.
Now here’s why this matters: inside that report, you’ll often find things like citations (which point to who caused the accident), witness statements, and photos of vehicle damage. These pieces are how you prove fault , how you show the impact was serious, and how you get taken seriously when it’s time to negotiate a settlement.
Get Medical Attention Right Away
Even if you don’t feel hurt at first, go get checked out. Some injuries take hours or even days to really show up. And if you wait too long to see a doctor, the insurance company might say your injuries weren’t from the crash.
Seeing a doctor immediately and following every bit of medical advice they give you also proves that your injuries were real and serious enough to need treatment. That’s something the insurance company can’t ignore.
All your medical visits, tests, and treatment plans become part of your case. Your doctor’s records and opinions can be used later to show just how badly the affected you.
Always Report the Accident to Your Own Insurance
Even if you’re not the one who caused the crash, it’s important to tell your insurance company about it. Waiting too long could mess up your chances of getting paid, even from the other driver’s insurance.
When you report it, stick to the facts. Don’t add opinions or guesses. Just describe what happened, where it happened, and when. If your insurance company starts asking a lot of questions or pushing for a statement, it might be better to let your lawyer handle it from that point forward. You don’t want to say something that could be twisted or misunderstood later.
Don’t Jump at the First Offer
Insurance companies are quick to offer a settlement, but it’s rarely the best one. In fact, it’s usually way too low. They’re hoping you’ll take it because you just want the whole thing to be over. But doing that can leave you with bills that the settlement doesn’t even begin to cover.
Wait; talk to a lawyer. Let them go through the offer and explain what’s missing. There’s usually more room to negotiate, and that’s how you get closer to what you actually deserve.
Know the Full Value of What You’ve Lost
You might already know that your car repair or hospital visit costs a lot. But your damages go beyond the obvious. Your lawyer can help you look at everything, not just the money you spent but also the pain you went through, the stress, the lost time, and the long-term impact of your injuries.
Some of those things don’t come with a receipt, but they’re still important. And they still count. A full settlement should reflect both what you had to pay and what you had to go through.
Be Ready To Take It to Court If You Have To
Most of these claims are settled before they get to court, but sometimes, the only way to get treated fairly is to file a lawsuit. If the insurance company refuses to take your injuries seriously or keeps making lowball offers, being ready to go to trial gives you leverage.
When they know your lawyer is willing and ready to fight it out in court, they’ll often offer a better deal to avoid the hassle. And if it does go to court, your lawyer can push for the full amount you should actually get.
