If you have been injured in a car accident that was caused by a careless driver, you probably already know that you are entitled to money damages and other forms of compensation. You may not know, however, the amount of compensation you end up with can vary widely depending your case. You may be offered a settlement during the time leading up to your court case, and you can take part in the effort to get as much compensation as you can by ensuring that you understand and follow these points below.

Don't speak to the insurance adjuster for the other side.

No matter what you are told by this very polite and charming person on the phone, you should never give a recorded statement to them. These people are employed by the insurance carrier for the sole purpose of reducing the amount of claims against them. You do not have to say anything at all to them, even if they claim that it's just a formality and they are about to send you a big check for your injuries. It's just too easy to say something that could reduce your eventual compensation on those recorded calls.

Know how to negotiate for what you need. 

You should know that negotiating skills are learned through experience and a gut feeling, and that this may be far too important a task to do yourself. Be sure to seek the help of a personal injury attorney for help in making sure that you get everything that you are entitled to. You and your attorney will have a good idea of the amount you need for a fair settlement, using calculations made up of the dollar amount of your medical expenses multiplied by the seriousness of your injuries. This amount is then added to other expenses, like lost wages and car damage.

You can do your part in the negotiation process by making sure that your attorney is well aware of how the accident has impacted you and your family. Don't neglect to take into consideration not only your physical injuries, but the effects the accident has had on your emotional well-being. It is common to experience depression anxiety, sleep disturbances, mood swings and more as a result of being involved in a traumatic event.

The calculation mentioned above? That number is known by the insurance adjuster as well, as you have shared information about your case via a demand letter. This letter, sent at the beginning of your case, will spell out your expenses and what evidence you have against the at-fault driver.

While this can a stressful and tense time, you can rest assured that your attorney will skillfully advocate for your best interests. Contact local law firms for more about this topic.