Were you recently injured as a result of somebody else's recklessness? Perhaps you were involved in a car accident, slip-and-fall, or any other incident that resulted in you being injured. Regardless, you'll want to meet with a personal injury attorney who specializes in your type of case as soon as possible. From there, you can follow a few tips to help maximize your settlement and ensure you receive the compensation you're entitled to for your medical bills, property damage, pain and suffering, lost wages, and the like.

Speak Only With Your Attorney

Of course, there will be some people you'll need to talk to about your case aside from your actual attorney; this can include doctors and police officers. Beyond that, however, you shouldn't speak to anybody about your case that could possibly be recruited by the defense to testify against you. This includes the defense's insurance company; if they have questions for you, they should be directed to your lawyer. Also, don't post anything on social media about your case because you never know who could see it and try to use it against you.

Gather as Much Evidence as Possible

Ideally, you will have gotten pictures of the area where your accident/injury took place shortly after it happened. Unfortunately, when you're injured, snapping photos and gathering witness information isn't always the first thing that comes to mind. This is where your attorney may be able to help. He or she may be able to gather witness testimony from the accident as well as get photos, even while you're recovering in the hospital. The more evidence you have, the more ammunition you have to use against the party responsible for your injuries in the first place.

Take Doctor Appointments Seriously

Even if you're not seriously injured (or are feeling much better after a few days), it's still important that you take your doctor's appointment seriously and follow your doctor's orders strictly. For example, if your doctor gives you a wheelchair to use for getting around, don't be seen without that wheelchair--even if you don't think you need it. Somebody from the defense could very well snap a photo of you walking around and try to make the claim that you're not injured, thus affecting your ability to reach a fair settlement.

Never Accept Your First Offer

Last but not least, if you receive an offer from the responsible party's insurance company, never accept the first settlement. Your personal injury attorney can help you do better.

For more information, contact Norris, Gary G. Attorney or a similar legal professional.