If you have suffered from a personal injury, you may soon find yourself lost under medical bills. Whether you were involved in a slip and fall accident at the store or you were a pedestrian hit by a car, you may be eligible to receive a settlement to cover your bills and lost wages. It all starts with finding the right attorney to help you through the process. This guide will help you determine the best way to maximize your personal injury settlement.

1. Find the right personal injury attorney.

When you search for a personal injury attorney, there are a few questions you should be asking. For instance, you need to know your attorney's area of specialization and how long they have been working on personal injury claims.

2. Receive medical care right away and as needed.

Receive medical care quickly to ensure that you have a documented history of your injuries. Speak honestly with your doctor about the extent of the pain you feel, and ask for records as necessary.

3. File a police report.

Immediately after the incident, make sure that you file a report with the police. This helps to create a track record of the incident and helps to back up your claims when you make it to court. The more evidence you have, the better.

4. Keep accurate records of every expense.

In addition to maintaining records, make sure that you save all receipts. They could very well make your case and provide evidence that you are trustworthy.

5. Be careful what you say to insurance companies.

If you change your story when you speak with the insurance company, this may come back to bite you in court. Keep your story honest and consistent. Once you hire a lawyer, you may direct correspondence to him or her instead.

6. Stay off social media.

If you are making a claim, ensure that your social media does not disprove it. For instance, you should not claim to have a leg injury and then have photos of you hiking up a mountain on Facebook.

7. Document the scene of the incident.

The more pictures you have of the scene and the damage, the more you have to present in court to document your case. Even photos taken with your phone will suffice.

8. Don't sign anything your lawyer hasn't read.

If your lawyer has not looked over a settlement, a contract, or even a statement, it is important that you pass it to him or her in order to ensure you signing it does not affect your court case.

When you are suffering from an injury, you do not have to settle for not being able to pay your bills. Your personal injury attorney is there to help you understand the laws and to represent you in court to ensure that your rights are not trampled on.