How To Get More Money From a Car Accident Settlement

The Short Answer:

To get more money from your car accident settlement, act fast, gather strong evidence, follow your doctor’s orders, and speak with an experienced car accident lawyer before accepting any offer. Insurance companies want to pay as little as possible, but with the right steps, you can protect your rights and pursue the full compensation you may deserve.

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Key Takeaways

• Get medical attention right away, even if you feel fine. Delays can hurt your health and your claim.
• Document everything at the scene, including photos, witness info, and road conditions.
• Be cautious with the insurance company. Never give a recorded statement without legal advice.
• Hire a Chattanooga car accident lawyer early to help calculate your damages and negotiate for more.
• Track all injury-related expenses, including medical bills, lost wages, and out-of-pocket costs.
• Follow your treatment plan completely to avoid giving insurers a reason to reduce your payout.
• Don’t accept early settlement offers before you know the full value of your case.
• Stay off social media. Even innocent posts can be used to dispute your claim.
• Be prepared to go to court. Showing you’re willing to fight can lead to a better offer.
• A strong legal strategy = a stronger settlement. The right lawyer can make a major difference.

1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately

One of the most effective ways to increase the value of your car accident settlement is to seek medical attention immediately after the crash, even if you don’t feel injured. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal trauma, may not show symptoms until hours or even days later. Prompt medical treatment not only protects your health but also creates a paper trail for your case.

Insurance companies look for any opportunity to minimize payouts. If you delay treatment, they may argue that your injuries aren’t severe or weren’t caused by the accident. By getting evaluated right away, you strengthen the connection between the accident and your injuries, a key component in proving damages.

• Visit an emergency room, urgent care, or your primary care doctor as soon as possible.
• Follow up with any specialists recommended by your physician (e.g., physical therapists, chiropractors, orthopedic doctors).
• Keep records of all diagnoses, prescriptions, and medical bills.
• Track your pain levels, symptoms, and how the injury affects your daily life in a recovery journal.

Adrenaline can mask pain immediately after a crash. Even if you think your injuries are minor, let a medical professional make that call. Getting documentation early can make a big difference in the compensation you receive later.

2. Document the Accident Scene

Thorough documentation at the accident scene can significantly impact how much money you receive from a car accident settlement. The more evidence you collect, the harder it is for insurance companies to dispute your claim.

Photos, videos, and written details from the crash scene provide visual proof of liability and damages. This evidence helps your attorney build a strong case and can increase the likelihood of a higher settlement, especially if the case goes to trial.

What to Capture at the Scene:

• Photos of all vehicles involved from multiple angles, including license plates, damage, and placement on the road.
• Close-ups of injuries (if visible) right after the accident.
• Skid marks, debris, traffic signs, and signals near the crash.
• Weather and road conditions at the time of the accident.
• Contact information and statements from eyewitnesses.
• Police officer names and badge numbers, as well as the accident report number.

While the police report is important, it may not always capture every detail. Your own photos and notes can fill in gaps and reinforce your side of the story, especially in disputed liability cases.

3. Be Careful When Reporting to Your Insurance Company

After a car accident, you’ll likely need to notify your insurance company, but what you say can directly impact how much money you get from a car accident settlement. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and they may use your own words against you.

Don’t Admit Fault — Even Partially

Even saying something as simple as “I’m sorry” can be interpreted as admitting guilt. If your statement is recorded or documented, the insurance company may reduce your compensation based on modified comparative fault rules.

Avoid Giving a Recorded Statement Without a Lawyer

Insurance adjusters might pressure you to give a recorded statement early on, often before you’ve had a chance to understand the full extent of your injuries. This is a high-risk move, especially if you downplay symptoms or guess details.

Instead:

• Politely decline to give a recorded statement.
• Direct them to your attorney if you’ve hired one.
• Stick to basic facts (location, time, vehicle type) if you must report the accident.

Keep Communications Brief and Factual

• Avoid speculating about what caused the crash.
• Don’t talk about injuries until you’ve seen a doctor.
• Never say you’re “fine.” This could undermine your claim later.

Let Your Lawyer Handle the Talking

Once you hire a car accident lawyer, they can communicate with the insurance company on your behalf. This protects you from saying something that could be twisted or misunderstood and helps you stay focused on recovery.

4. Hire a Car Accident Lawyer 

If you’re serious about getting more money from your car accident settlement, hiring a car accident lawyer is one of the most important steps you can take. While it’s possible to handle a claim on your own, having experienced legal support often leads to significantly higher payouts for injuries and complex damages.

Insurance companies deal with claims every day. Their goal? Pay out as little as possible. Without a legal advocate, you’re at a disadvantage.

An attorney can:

• Calculate the full value of your claim, including future medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
• Negotiate aggressively with insurers so you don’t have to accept a lowball offer.
• Identify hidden damages you may not think to include (like diminished vehicle value).
• Represent you in court if the insurance company won’t settle fairly.

Our personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you do. This gives you access to legal help without out-of-pocket costs and adds extra incentive for your lawyer to maximize your settlement.

When to Call a Lawyer:

• If you have injuries that require medical treatment.
• If fault is unclear or disputed.
• If the insurance company is delaying or denying your claim.
• If you’re being pressured to accept a quick settlement.

Hiring a lawyer from The McMahan Law Firm early allows them to protect your rights from the start, gather time-sensitive evidence, and prevent costly mistakes that could lower your compensation.

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5. Keep a Record of Everything

To support a stronger claim and potentially get more money from your car accident settlement, keep detailed records throughout your recovery. Every note, bill, and receipt can serve as evidence of your losses, and insurance companies are far more likely to pay when you can prove what you’ve experienced.

The more organized you are, the easier it is for your lawyer to calculate your total damages. 

Thorough documentation helps prove:

• Medical expenses (ER visits, specialists, physical therapy, prescriptions)
• Lost wages or reduced earning capacity
• Out-of-pocket costs (transportation to appointments, medical equipment)
• Pain and suffering, and how your injuries have affected daily life

How to Stay Organized:

• Keep a recovery journal: Write down how you feel each day, what activities you’re unable to do, and how your injuries are impacting your mental health.
• Save all receipts and invoices: From hospital bills to over-the-counter meds.
• Document missed work: Use pay stubs, HR records, or a letter from your employer.
• Take progress photos: Show how injuries heal over time or how scarring may be permanent.

Even something that seems minor, like a receipt for a knee brace or Uber ride to a doctor’s office, can add up. These small expenses help tell the full story of your recovery and can be factored into your final settlement.

6. Follow Your Doctor’s Orders

If you want to maximize your car accident settlement, one of the simplest but most overlooked actions is to follow your doctor’s treatment plan exactly. Skipping appointments or ignoring medical advice can hurt both your recovery and your case.

Insurance adjusters are trained to look for gaps or inconsistencies in your medical care. If you stop treatment early or don’t follow through on referrals, they may argue:

• Your injuries aren’t serious.
• You made your condition worse.
• You’re not entitled to full compensation.

By following your doctor’s orders, you protect the integrity of your claim and show that you’re taking your recovery seriously.

• Attend every scheduled appointment, including physical therapy and follow-ups.
• Take all prescribed medications as directed.
• Get referrals for specialists if recommended (e.g., orthopedic, neurologist).
• Avoid activities your doctor advises against, especially if they could aggravate your injuries.

Document each step of your treatment in a journal or digital note:

• Dates of appointments
• Who you saw
• What was discussed or diagnosed
• How you felt afterward

This kind of record builds credibility and supports any claims for ongoing or long-term medical costs.

7. Avoid Early Settlement Offers

It might be tempting to take the first check the insurance company offers when you’re dealing with medical bills, missed work, and stress. But if your goal is to get more money from your car accident settlement, don’t settle too soon.

Insurance companies know you’re vulnerable after an accident. They often present early settlement offers before:

• You know the full extent of your injuries
• Long-term treatment needs are clear
• You’ve spoken with a lawyer

Accepting an early offer may forfeit your right to pursue additional compensation later, even if new complications arise.

Red Flags of a Lowball Settlement:

• You’re asked to sign a release within days of the crash
• The offer doesn’t include pain and suffering damages
• You’re discouraged from getting legal advice
• You haven’t finished your medical treatment

What to Do Instead:

• Politely decline or delay responding until you’ve consulted a lawyer
• Have an attorney review any paperwork before you sign
• Wait until your injuries are stable (maximum medical improvement) before calculating your total damages

Once you accept an offer and sign a release, your case is closed, permanently. It’s worth waiting a little longer to help ensure your compensation reflects everything you’ve been through.

8. Stay off Social Media

If you’re pursuing a claim and want to get more money from your car accident settlement, what you post online can work against you. Insurance adjusters often scour social media to find anything that could cast doubt on your injuries or credibility, so avoid posting online until your claim is resolved.

Even innocent posts can be taken out of context. For example:

• A photo of you smiling at a family event might be used to argue you’re not really in pain.
• A status update saying “feeling better today!” could be misinterpreted as full recovery.
• Location check-ins might conflict with your claimed physical limitations.

Adjusters can, and often do, use this type of content to undermine your claim and reduce your payout.

What to Avoid Posting:

• Photos or videos of yourself, especially engaging in physical activity
• Details about the accident, your injuries, or your recovery
• Frustrated posts about the insurance company or legal process
• Comments on others’ posts that reference your case

Best Practice: Go Private (or Go Quiet)

• Set all social media accounts to private, but remember, nothing is ever fully private online.
• Avoid posting at all until your case is resolved.
• Ask friends and family not to tag you in photos or mention the accident.

Treat everything you post as if the insurance adjuster or opposing attorney will read it in court. Staying silent online is one of the easiest ways to protect your settlement value.

9. Be Prepared to Go to Court

While most car accident cases settle out of court, being ready and willing to go to trial can often lead to a higher settlement. Insurance companies take claims more seriously when they know you’re not afraid to fight for what you may deserve.

If the insurance company believes you’ll settle for less just to avoid court, they’re more likely to make a low offer. But if they know your legal team is prepared to present a strong case in front of a judge or jury, they may increase the offer to avoid the risk of losing at trial.

• Work with a trial-ready lawyer: Choose someone with courtroom experience who won’t back down under pressure.
• Build a complete case file: Include medical records, witness statements, expert testimony, and evidence of non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
• Stay consistent in your story: Inconsistent statements (in medical records, on social media, or to adjusters) can hurt your credibility in court.

When Going to Court Might Be Necessary:

• The insurer denies liability or blames you for the accident
• You’re offered far less than your damages are worth
• There’s a disagreement over the severity of your injuries
• Your future medical needs are disputed

You don’t have to want to go to trial, but showing that you will if needed can give you the leverage to secure a much higher settlement without ever stepping into the courtroom.

Our Lawyers Help Maximize Your Settlement

If you’ve been in a car accident and want to get the most money possible from your settlement, having a skilled legal team on your side makes all the difference.

At McMahan Law Firm, we’re here to help you:

• Understand your full legal rights
• Avoid costly mistakes that lower your payout
• Negotiate aggressively with the insurance company
• Build a case that’s ready for court if needed

Why Choose Us?

• Free case review — no strings attached
• No upfront fees — we only get paid if you win
• Decades of experience helping accident victims in Tennessee
• We handle the paperwork, phone calls, and legal stress so you don’t have to
  

Whether your injuries are minor or life-changing, you deserve to be treated fairly — and we’ll fight to help you recover every dollar you’re owed.