How to Ask Your Car Accident Lawyer for More Money

After a car accident, you naturally seek to obtain the maximum settlement amount possible to cover medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Sometimes, however, your settlement offer or compensation from your car accident lawyer could be lower than what you expected. If that is the case, you may wonder how to ask your car accident lawyer for more money, and you’re not alone. 

This article will discuss how to approach your lawyer to request more compensation effectively, the factors influencing settlement amounts, and how you can work with your lawyer to strengthen your case for a higher settlement amount.

1. Understand the Basis of Your Settlement Offer

Before approaching your lawyer for more money, it’s essential to understand the basis of your current settlement offer. A settlement offer is typically calculated based on several factors, including:

• Medical bills: This includes hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and other necessary treatments.
• Lost wages: If your injury prevented you from working, your settlement should compensate for lost wages.
• Property damage: This includes the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle.
• Pain and suffering: This is more subjective, but it accounts for emotional and physical distress caused by the accident.

Speak with your lawyer about how these factors have been calculated in your personal injury claim. Ask them to explain the settlement formula in detail so you understand the compensation offer clearly. If you feel a lack of compensation, you should immediately point it out and explain why you deserve more money.

2. Document Your Damages Thoroughly

One of the most effective ways to ask for more money is to provide your lawyer with additional documentation or evidence that supports a higher settlement amount. The more proof you have of the severity of your injuries, financial losses, and emotional damage, the stronger your argument for increased compensation.

• Medical Records: If you’ve undergone additional treatments or your condition has worsened since the initial settlement offer, provide updated medical records to your lawyer.
• Bills and Receipts: Ensure you’ve provided every relevant medical bill, prescription cost, and other expenses related to the accident.
• Statements from Experts: If necessary, you can ask your lawyer to bring in medical experts to testify about the long-term effects of your injuries, which could increase the value of your claim.

Keep detailed records of new developments related to your injury or financial losses. Doing so will help you build a solid case with hard evidence and give your lawyer the tools to justify requesting more money.

3. Discuss Potential Legal Strategies

When asking your car accident lawyer for more money, it’s important to frame the conversation as a discussion about legal strategy rather than a complaint. Express your concerns respectfully and ask your lawyer if there are alternative strategies that could potentially increase your compensation.

Some strategies your lawyer might consider include:

• Negotiating Aggressively: If the settlement offer comes from the insurance company, your lawyer may be able to negotiate more aggressively by highlighting stronger aspects of your case.
• Bringing in Expert Witnesses: As mentioned earlier, expert testimonies—such as from medical professionals, economists, or accident reconstruction specialists—can add weight to your case.
• Considering Going to Trial: While most car accident cases are settled outside of court, your lawyer might recommend taking the case to trial if the settlement offer is too low and the evidence is compelling. This is a riskier approach, but it can sometimes lead to a larger payout.

4. Evaluate the Costs vs. Benefits of Continued Negotiation

While it’s understandable to want more money, evaluating the costs and potential risks of continued negotiation or pursuing a trial is important. Your lawyer should be able to give you a realistic assessment of the likelihood of increasing the settlement amount versus the time, effort, and expenses involved in further legal proceedings.

Sometimes, asking for more money may extend the settlement process for months or even years, especially if the case goes to trial. Consider the following:

• Attorney Fees: Many car accident lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning they take a percentage of the final settlement amount. However, if negotiations drag on or the case goes to trial, additional expenses—such as court or expert witness fees—may reduce your net payout.
• Time and Stress: Continuing to fight for more money can add stress and emotional strain, especially if your injuries have already impacted your daily life. You’ll need to decide whether the potential increase in compensation is worth the additional time and emotional toll.

Discuss these considerations with your lawyer and weigh them carefully before deciding on your next move.

5. Be Transparent and Honest with Your Lawyer

When you approach your lawyer to ask for more money, be honest about your expectations and why you believe the current offer is insufficient. Lawyers appreciate transparency, and being upfront about your concerns will help them better advocate for you.

Be prepared to listen to your lawyer’s perspective, as well as they may have a valid reason for suggesting the current offer based on the strength of your case, the evidence available, or the strategies of the opposing party. Even if you feel you deserve more, your lawyer’s experience and insight can help you understand the reality of the legal process.

6. Ask About the Possibility of Future Compensation

In some cases, your lawyer may be able to structure the settlement to include future compensation, especially if your injuries require ongoing medical treatment or rehabilitation. This could involve requesting a larger upfront settlement or negotiating for provisions that account for future medical bills.

Additionally, your lawyer can seek compensation for projected lost wages if your injuries will likely impact your ability to work in the future. Understanding all potential avenues for compensation will help you decide whether to push for more money.

7. Stay Involved and Proactive

It’s important to stay actively involved in your case.  By regularly communicating with your lawyer and updating them on your condition or any new expenses you incur, some car accident lawyers, such as Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer Rodney Okano, may be able to get more money in your case. Being proactive shows you’re serious about your case and committed to achieving the best possible outcome.

A good lawyer-client relationship is based on collaboration and open communication. If you’ve done your part in documenting your damages, staying engaged in the process, and discussing your concerns openly, your lawyer will be more likely to take your request for additional compensation seriously.