An accident injury can upend your life and finances. Thankfully, you are entitled to compensation for your injuries. Getting medical help immediately and heed your doctor’s recommendations is critical. However, many individuals make mistakes that can damage their case when filing a personal injury claim. Here are a few common mistakes to avoid:
Failing to Hire an Attorney
Insurance companies dedicate significant time, money, and resources to combating a personal injury claim. They use tactics such as capitalizing on plaintiff mistakes to reduce or deny fair compensation. It is vital to remember that all states have statutes of limitations, which set a maximum amount of time within which you can file a lawsuit. You must complete this deadline to recover any compensation for your injuries. An attorney will know the specific deadlines that apply to your case and help you meet them.
It is also important to avoid discussing your accident or injuries on social media. Insurance companies may misread this as a sign of weakness or denial and use it against you in the settlement process. Instead, letting your lawyer handle all communication with the insurance company is best. This way, you can rest assured that your information is accurate and supports your claim. Furthermore, they can act as your representative in negotiations to guarantee that you are fairly compensated for the harm you have suffered.
Failing to Document Your Injuries
Getting medical attention promptly after an accident is a requirement for pursuing a personal injury claim and essential for documenting your injuries. Medical records are crucial pieces of evidence to demonstrate that you were injured in the accident and to determine the cost of your care. Keeping a journal and providing detailed information about your symptoms, pain levels, limitations, and challenges will help strengthen your personal injury case. Record daily activities and include additional costs such as lost wages, parking fees, or prescription expenses.
It’s also essential to avoid exaggerating your pain and suffering. Insurance companies and defense attorneys will look at your social media to see if you’re lying about the extent of your injuries, which could sabotage your case. It is imperative to collaborate with a personal injury lawyer with experience. They can offer advice, support, and knowledge to ensure you get the most money possible for your injuries.
Failing to Gather Evidence
Severe injuries may make it impossible to work and increase your medical expenses. They also often limit your daily activities, including your ability to transport yourself and perform household chores. These limitations can take a psychological and financial toll on you, so you deserve compensation from the at-fault party for those hardships. To support your personal injury claim, you need strong evidence that the at-fault party is liable for your injuries. This includes medical documentation, traffic/police incident reports, statements and policies of your insurance company, pay stubs, receipts for expenses related to your injury, and eyewitness testimony.
Be cautious of social media posts after an accident, as these can be used against you. Photos of you partying or exercising can be misinterpreted as proof that your injury is not severe. It might make it less likely that you will be compensated. Collect and store evidence for your case. In collecting and storing evidence for your case.
Failing to Seek Medical Attention
Failing to follow a doctor’s medical treatment plan is one of the most common mistakes people make in personal injury cases. Insurance companies will use the lack of follow-up appointments and treatment to argue that your injuries are not severe or that you are not hurt as badly as you claim. Making a direct connection between your injuries and the accident can be facilitated by seeking medical attention immediately after it happens. It also allows you to prove the severity of your injuries and damages.
Furthermore, your doctor can help you understand if you have any hidden or underlying injuries that may not be apparent initially. It is essential because adrenaline can mask pain and other symptoms following an accident. Keeping an organized record of your medical documentation, including doctors’ notes and treatment costs, will be extremely useful in this case. It will help your lawyer demonstrate the full extent of your injuries and damages during your claim process.