The Short Answer:
To get more money from a car accident settlement, avoid settling too quickly, seek prompt medical attention, and collect strong evidence to support your claim. Consider hiring an experienced car accident lawyer who can guide you through the legal process, protect your rights, and negotiate directly with the insurance company. Also, be cautious when speaking with insurance adjusters, stay off social media, and don’t underestimate the impact of strict legal deadlines—waiting too long could put your claim at risk.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to build a stronger case, understand the full value of your damages, and take the right steps to help maximize your car accident settlement. Following these proven strategies can help ensure you don’t leave money on the table.
Key Takeaways
- The first settlement offer is rarely the best. Insurers often start with lowball offers to protect their bottom line.
- The strength of your documentation can make or break your claim. Comprehensive evidence increases your negotiating power.
- Your claim’s value goes beyond current bills. Don’t overlook compensation for pain and suffering, future medical needs, or lost earning potential.
- Timing matters. Legal deadlines can come faster than you think, and missing them could cost you.
- Legal guidance can significantly increase your settlement. An attorney can assess the full value of your claim, avoid common pitfalls, and negotiate effectively with insurance companies on your behalf.
Table of Contents
- 1. Don’t Settle Too Quickly
- 2. Prioritize Your Medical Care
- 3. Hire an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
- 4. Document Everything and Gather Evidence
- 5. Know What Your Case Is Really Worth
- 6. Be Careful When Talking to Insurance Adjusters
- 7. Avoid Posting on Social Media
- 8. Don’t Miss Crucial Legal Deadlines
- Additional Factors That Affect Car Accident Settlement Amounts
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Lowry Law Can Help You Get the Most From Your Car Accident Settlement
1. Don’t Settle Too Quickly
After a car accident, it’s tempting to grab the first check the insurance company puts in front of you, especially when bills are piling up. Insurance companies count on you saying “yes” too fast, and initial offers are usually low to protect the insurer’s bottom line, not your recovery.
Don’t rush or jump at the first settlement offer. Accepting too soon can leave you stuck with unpaid medical bills or lost income down the line. Once you sign, you give up your right to ask for more.
Before you agree to anything, talk to a lawyer. An experienced car accident attorney can calculate the true value of your claim and negotiate a settlement that reflects the full impact of your injuries. Plus, having legal representation shows the insurance company that you mean business.
2. Prioritize Your Medical Care
Your health should always come first. Prompt, consistent, and well-documented medical care not only supports your recovery, it also provides the evidence needed to prove the full impact of your injuries.
- See a doctor immediately after the accident. Even if you feel “okay,” some injuries take hours or days to show symptoms. Delaying treatment can give the insurance company a reason to downplay your injuries or deny your claim altogether.
- Stick to your treatment plan. Skipping follow-up appointments, physical therapy, or recommended procedures can hurt both your healing and your case. Gaps in care are often used to argue that your injuries aren’t serious.
- Keep detailed medical records. Save everything, including doctor’s notes, prescriptions, test results, treatment summaries, and bills. This documentation helps prove the extent of your injuries, link them to the accident, and justify the amount of compensation you’re seeking.
3. Hire an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
One of the most effective ways to increase the value of your settlement is by working with a knowledgeable car accident lawyer. Insurance companies are trained to minimize payouts, and without legal experience on your side, it’s easy to walk away with far less than your claim may really be worth.
- Attorneys understand the real value of your case. They can assess the full extent of your damages, including long-term medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and future expenses that you might not have considered.
- They know how to deal with insurance companies. Insurers often use pressure tactics and confusing legal language to push quick, lowball settlements. A lawyer can step in to handle all communications and negotiations, protecting you from making costly mistakes.
- They can build a strong case from the start. From gathering evidence and organizing documentation to consulting with medical experts or accident reconstruction specialists, an experienced attorney helps ensure no detail is overlooked.
Ultimately, having an attorney shows the insurance company that you’re serious and increases your chances of receiving full and fair compensation.
4. Document Everything and Gather Evidence
Thorough documentation is one of the most powerful tools you have when pursuing compensation after a car accident. Every detail you preserve adds credibility to your claim and strengthens your negotiating position with the insurance company.
Here’s what you should collect and keep:
- Photos and Videos: If you are able, take photos of the accident scene, all vehicle damage, any visible injuries, road conditions, skid marks, traffic signs, and anything else that might help document what happened. Videos from the scene or nearby surveillance footage can also be valuable.
- Police Reports and Witness Statements: Call the police after an accident and request a copy of the official report—it’s often one of the first documents insurers look at. If there were witnesses to the accident, get their names, contact info, and a brief statement of what they saw.
- Medical Records and Bills: From the ER visit to physical therapy sessions, keep records of every medical appointment, test, prescription, and diagnosis. These documents prove the extent of your injuries and the cost of treatment, both of which directly affect your settlement.
- Proof of Lost Wages and Financial Impact: If you’ve missed work due to your injuries, ask your employer for documentation showing time missed and income lost. Keep receipts for out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident, such as transportation to medical appointments, medical equipment, or in-home care.
The more complete and organized your documentation, the harder it is for the insurance company to dispute your claim.
5. Know What Your Case Is Really Worth
Before you can negotiate a fair settlement, you need to understand the full value of your claim, looking beyond just your current medical bills. Many accident victims miss out on compensation simply because they don’t know what they may be entitled to.
Your car accident settlement may include:
- Economic Damages: These are your direct, out-of-pocket losses like medical bills, emergency room visits, surgeries, prescription medications, physical therapy, lost wages, and property damage. Anything with a receipt or invoice falls under this category.
- Non-Economic Damages: These are the intangible losses like pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and the impact the accident has had on your daily routine and relationships. They can be harder to quantify, but they’re just as important.
- Future Damages: If your injuries require ongoing treatment or will affect your ability to work long-term, you may be entitled to compensation for future medical expenses, diminished earning capacity, or permanent disability. These damages are often underestimated without professional legal guidance.
An experienced attorney can help identify every category of loss and calculate the full scope of what you may be owed so you don’t leave money on the table.
6. Be Careful When Talking to Insurance Adjusters
Insurance adjusters may sound friendly, but they’re trained to protect their company’s financial interests, not yours. Anything you say can be used to minimize your payout.
- Don’t provide a recorded statement without legal advice. These statements are often used to lock you into details or contradictions that can hurt your claim later on.
- Don’t downplay your injuries. Saying you’re “doing fine” out of politeness can be taken as proof that your injuries aren’t serious, even if you’re in significant pain.
- Refer them to your attorney whenever possible. Your lawyer will know how to handle their questions and protect your legal rights throughout the process.
7. Avoid Posting on Social Media
Even innocent posts can be twisted by insurance companies to challenge your credibility. Photos, comments, and check-ins may be used to argue that you’re less injured than you claim or that your lifestyle contradicts your reported limitations.
- Don’t discuss the accident online. Even vague updates can be used against you. Avoid talking about the incident, your injuries, or how you’re feeling.
- Avoid sharing photos or activities that contradict your claims. A picture of you at a family barbecue or out with friends could be misinterpreted as evidence that you’re not seriously injured.
8. Don’t Miss Crucial Legal Deadlines
Strict time limits can significantly impact your right to recover compensation. In Maine, you typically have 6 years to file an injury claim, but shorter deadlines may apply. That’s why you should act immediately to protect your rights.
- Your attorney can help you identify all relevant deadlines. This ensures that your claim is filed properly and on time, even if multiple parties or jurisdictions are involved.
- Don’t assume you have plenty of time. The sooner you take action, the stronger your case will be, key evidence is easier to preserve, and witnesses are more likely to remember details.
- Missing a deadline could mean losing your right to compensation entirely. That’s why it’s essential to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after your accident.
Additional Factors That Affect Car Accident Settlement Amounts
Insurance companies look at a wide range of details when determining what they’re willing to pay, so consider the other elements that can influence the final value of your potential settlement.
- Extent of Your Injuries and Medical Treatment: The seriousness of your injuries, how long it takes you to recover, and the total cost of your medical care all play a major role in determining your settlement. More severe injuries typically lead to higher compensation than minor injuries. A longer recovery period often means more treatment, more time off work, and more pain and suffering.
- Insurance Policy Limits: Your compensation is often capped by the at-fault party’s insurance policy. If their liability coverage is low, it may limit what you can recover unless there are other liable parties or you carry underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy.
- Fault and Comparative Negligence: In Maine, you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault, as long as you are less than 50% responsible for the crash. However, your settlement will be reduced in proportion to your share of fault. If you’re found 50% or more at fault, you lose the right to collect any compensation at all. Having a legal advocate on your side to help dispute unfair claims of fault.
Frequently Asked Questions
The exact amount will vary based on the specifics of your case, including how clearly fault is established, how long your recovery takes, and whether your injuries have long-term effects. Severe cases may result in high 5- or 6-figure settlements. Consulting with an attorney can help you understand what a fair settlement might look like based on similar past cases and the evidence available.
No. Once you sign a release and accept payment, you typically cannot request additional compensation.
Have your case reviewed by an attorney. They can help estimate what your claim may be truly worth.
The timeline for a car accident settlement can vary depending on the complexity of the case, the severity of the injuries, and the willingness of the insurance company to negotiate. Some cases settle in a matter of weeks, while others—especially those involving serious injuries or disputed liability—can take several months or even years. Working with an attorney often helps speed up the process by ensuring deadlines are met and negotiations are handled efficiently.
You are required to notify your insurance company of the accident, but be cautious when speaking with any adjusters, especially from the other party’s insurer. Keep your communication brief and factual, and avoid admitting fault or speculating about your injuries. It’s best to consult with a lawyer first. They can speak on your behalf and protect your claim from being undermined.
If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may still be able to recover compensation through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, if your policy includes it. This type of coverage can help pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. An attorney can help review your policy and identify all possible sources of compensation.
Yes, even minor injuries can lead to significant medical costs and complications. A lawyer can help ensure you’re not underpaid.
Lowry Law Can Help You Get the Most From Your Car Accident Settlement
When you’re dealing with the aftermath of a car accident, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting shortchanged by the insurance company. At Lowry Law, our experienced team is here to help you get the most money from your car accident settlement by building a strong case, handling negotiations, and pushing back when the other side tries to minimize your injuries or blame you.
We dig deep into the details of your claim—gathering evidence, calculating the true value of your damages, and protecting your rights every step of the way.
Contact us now for a free case evaluation. There’s no cost to get started, and no fee unless we win your case. Let Lowry Law fight for the full settlement you may be entitled to.
