After enduring a personal injury due to someone else’s negligence, obtaining a fair personal injury settlement becomes the best legal tool for your financial recovery and ability to move forward. A fair settlement can help offset all the damages and the emotional toll of the accident.
However, insurance companies are motivated to minimize payouts. Therefore, it is essential to take proactive legal steps to help maximize the value of your settlement. Fortunately, you can employ several legal strategies to strengthen your Connecticut personal injury settlement.
Seek medical attention immediately
This may seem obvious, but it’s of all legal benefit to seek medical attention immediately after your accident. Even if your injuries might seem minor, a medical record establishes a clear connection between your injuries and the accident, which serves as valuable evidence in your personal injury case. Delaying medical attention or failing to follow treatment recommendations can undermine the strength of your claim.
Document everything
Building a strong legal case requires gathering and preserving as much evidence as possible. A strong, comprehensive evidence-collection method includes:
- Photographs or videos of the accident scene
- Witness statement
- Medical record
- Police report
- Any other legal documentation related to your injuries
Keeping records of all your expenses and all damages can help substantiate your legal claim to receive compensation for the full extent of your losses.
Understand the shared fault laws in Connecticut
Connecticut follows a modified comparative negligence system, meaning your recovery amount may be reduced based on the percentage of fault in your accident. For instance, if you’re found 10% at fault, your settlement could be reduced by 10%.
Employing these legal strategies can significantly increase your chances of obtaining a more favorable settlement to fully compensate for your injuries and losses. Since insurance companies’ primary goal is to minimize their payout, strong legal advocacy may be essential to help protect your legal rights and secure your deserved justice.
