To get more money from a car accident settlement, start by reaching out to lawyers who can negotiate offers on your behalf. Your attorney will likely request that you provide them with as much documentation and as many details as possible.
The more you share with your legal counsel, the more information they will have when trying to get more money from a car settlement on your behalf. This helps attorneys clearly show how the accident affected your health, finances, and routine, which can strengthen your claim.
If you want to learn how to get more money from a car accident settlement, call a Long Island car accident lawyer who has experience handling cases like yours. Your attorney can give you legal advice based on the details of your case and help you pursue compensation.
How New York’s No-Fault System Shapes the Starting Point
New York uses a no-fault insurance system, meaning your insurance company will handle your medical bills and lost wages regardless of who caused the crash. These payments come from something known as Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, and there are specific limits.
Victims often express frustration when facing either of these situations:
- If their medical care outpaces their PIP benefits
- When wage payments don’t account for the financial losses they’re experiencing
Many assume that no-fault coverage represents the total amount of money they can recover, but in cases involving serious injuries, victims can pursue compensation beyond the no-fault system.
To step outside the no-fault rules, the injury must fall under New York’s serious injury threshold, which includes the following conditions:
- Significant disfigurement
- Bone fractures
- Major limitations of body function
- Permanent disability
- Injuries that prevent someone from performing daily activities for an extended time
If you meet this threshold as the victim of the incident, your attorney can help you get more money from a car accident settlement by seeking damages that go far beyond basic PIP benefits.
Why Injury Documentation Strongly Influences Settlement Value
Injury-related details form the backbone of any settlement. The clearer the medical documentation, the more accurate the proof of your physical pain and financial losses.
Consistency Across Medical Records
Insurance companies review records for consistency. Clear links between the crash and the injuries help demonstrate the accident’s true impact. Victims who follow through with appointments create a detailed timeline that supports the value of their claim.
Treatment Plans and Specialist Evaluations
Orthopedists, neurologists, physical therapists, and other professionals will document how your injuries have affected your ability to function throughout the day. Their notes can help determine the severity of your condition and the long-term outlook.
Imaging and Diagnostic Tests
MRIs, CT scans, X-rays, and nerve studies provide objective evidence that helps to determine whether the injury qualifies as serious and whether you may qualify for additional compensation.
Projected Long-Term Medical Needs
Some injuries require future care. Settlement negotiations consider potential surgeries, ongoing pain management, physical therapy, and long-term complications that may arise.
Medical documentation doesn’t just describe your injuries. It quantifies them in a way that affects every part of a settlement calculation.
How Fault Affects Compensation in New York
New York follows a comparative negligence system, which means the settlement reflects each party’s percentage of responsibility. This rule still allows victims to recover damages even if they share some blame, though their recovery is reduced based on their percentage of fault.
Victims often worry that small details—like speeding slightly, reacting late, or failing to notice the other vehicle—will destroy their ability to recover compensation. Comparative negligence avoids this by acknowledging fault can be shared without fully eliminating your right to compensation.
Insurance companies often focus on fault because a lower percentage assigned to their policyholder reduces what they must pay. With sufficient evidence, you can reduce the risk of fault-related disputes and more accurately shape the final settlement amount.
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Evidence That Strengthens a New York Car Accident Settlement
Car accident cases in New York rely on strong evidence that shows how the crash occurred, why the other party is at fault, and how the injuries affect your daily life.
Photographs and Videos
Images of vehicle damage, the crash scene, road conditions, and visible injuries create a clear visual record. Traffic cameras and security footage from nearby businesses can also support your case.
Witness Statements
Neutral third-party accounts can help clarify what happened, especially when the opposing driver disputes fault.
Police Reports
Officers document roadway positions, vehicle damage, driver statements, and other contributing factors. Reports often include diagrams or notations that support the truth of what happened.
Crash Reconstruction, if Needed
Some collisions require professional analysis, especially those involving high speeds, disputed facts, or severe injuries.
Daily Life Documentation
Journals, calendars, or notes describing your pain levels, sleep disruptions, work limitations, and changes in daily activity can help you demonstrate the impact of your injuries on your overall quality of life.
Every piece of evidence adds structure to your claim and provides context when trying to get more money from a car accident settlement.
Call Us to Get More Money From a Car Accident Settlement
Trying to increase a car accident settlement can be stressful even before the negotiation process begins. Between dealing with your injuries, taking calls from insurance companies, and facing financial pressure, you might feel like everything is stacked against you.
Many people aren’t sure where to begin, what to avoid, or how to proceed. This can be a difficult position to find yourself in when it seems like your approach matters now more than ever. Why not reach out to our personal injury law firm for advice and representation?
At Levine And Wiss, we’ll show you which evidence strengthens a claim and how negotiations really work. With more than 100 years of experience, we’ve recovered hundreds of millions for thousands of clients. We’ll help you pursue more money from a car accident settlement.
