After an accident happens, it’s important that you understand your rights to compensation for the medical bills and associated costs. Filing a personal injury claim might seem like a daunting task, but the reality is that this step is often necessary in order to receive fair compensation.
The best thing you can do is hire a personal injury lawyer for assistance with the filing process, negotiations, and all other legal services that are needed. Don’t make the mistake of trying to file a DIY personal injury claim because certain mistakes could cost you a lot of money. In this article, we are taking a look at some of these common personal injury mistakes so you can see why it is so important to hire a legal professional for assistance.
Mistake #1: Not Seeking Medical Care
Even if your injuries seem minor, one of the first steps you should take is to seek medical attention immediately. You need to make sure to consult with an experienced healthcare professional so that all of the injuries from the accident are in your medical records.
When it is time to build your personal injury lawsuit, you need documentation proving the injuries that occurred. One of the biggest personal injury mistakes you can make is skipping the medical consultation.
Not only do you need an initial examination, but make sure there are medical records for all follow-up appointments, treatments, and more. For example, you might notice that symptoms and injuries get worse over time, and this can be documented in your medical records.
Skipping a doctor’s consultation is one of the worst personal injury mistakes you can make because if the medical care is delayed, it could give the insurance company grounds to dispute the claim.
Mistake #2: Evidence is Lacking
Your personal injury lawyer will advise you in collecting as much evidence as possible. Not only do you need police reports and witness statements, but it’s also helpful to have photos of the scene and injuries. The stronger the evidence, the stronger your personal injury claim.
The goal is to collect evidence that shows liability for the injuries. You need to prove that the other party was negligent or responsible for the causes that resulted in the accident.
Don’t cut corners when collecting evidence. The reality is that inadequate evidence can weaken your claim, which could result in a lower settlement. If you have questions about what type of evidence is needed, then consult with your personal injury lawyer. Additionally, the legal team can assist in collecting the documentation and evidence that is needed.
Mistake #3: Taking to Insurance Adjusters without Your Lawyer
Insurance adjusters are skilled at being friendly and making it seem like they are trying to help you. But it’s important to remember that the insurance adjuster’s job is to minimize the amount of money they need to pay. So, before you have any type of conversation with an insurance adjuster, you should always consult with a personal injury attorney first.
Seemingly simple statements that you make could be used against you in an attempt to reduce your personal injury compensation. So, if an insurance agent reaches out to you for a conversation, never say anything. The best thing you can say is that you aren’t available to have the conversation right now, but you can schedule another time for the conversation when your personal injury lawyer is present.
Your legal representation will handle every detail of the personal injury lawsuit and advocate on your behalf. You deserve to have an expert who will advocate on your behalf.
Mistake #4: Accepting the First Settlement Offer
While there are times when it makes sense to file a personal injury lawsuit, the goal is to reach a settlement before the case goes to court. Both parties benefit from an out-of-court settlement because you can avoid expenses relating to legal costs, court fees, and more.
But even though the hope is that a settlement can be reached, never accept the first settlement offer that comes through. In most situations, the first offer is lower than the actual value of the claim. The insurance company will build in room for negotiation, knowing that there will be a back-and-forth conversation to find an agreement.
In fact, insurance companies often use this technique to reduce the payouts. They try to rush victims into a fast settlement to avoid spending more money in the future.
So, before you accept a settlement offer, consult with your attorney to avoid making these legal mistakes.
Mistake #5: Failing to Follow Procedures
Another thing to be aware of if you want to avoid personal injury mistakes is to make sure that you are keeping track of deadlines and legal procedures. For example, there is a statute of limitations, which means that you have a specific window of time for filing a claim. This timeframe depends on where the accident occurred and the type of claim that you are filing.
The deadlines matter. If you miss a filing deadline or don’t follow these specific procedures, then it means that your claim could be dismissed. And if the claim is dismissed, it means that you won’t receive compensation.
FAQ
How to avoid mistakes in a personal injury claim?
You can avoid the most common mistakes when filing a personal injury claim by seeking medical attention immediately and hiring a personal injury lawyer for help with building your case.
What are the most common mistakes when filing a personal injury lawsuit?
The most common mistakes when filing a personal injury lawsuit include not gathering enough evidence, delaying medical treatment, and speaking to insurance adjusters without your lawyer.
How to file a successful personal injury claim?
The most successful personal injury claims are well-documented and include all relevant evidence that proves liability in the case. Also, hiring an experienced personal injury attorney makes a big difference in the overall outcome.
Talk to the Legal Experts to Avoid These Claim Mistakes
The reality is that it can be simple to avoid these common mistakes. The most important decision you will make is hiring a personal injury lawyer you can trust.
Our team at Green Law Firm is just a phone call away. Contact us at your convenience to book a free consultation: (956) 542-7000.
