Accidents can be devastating. They can have far-reaching effects too. If your accident is the result of the negligence of another party, filing a personal injury claim can help to ease the financial burden that has resulted from the injury. However, there are several mistakes that personal injury victims make that jeopardize their chances of receiving compensation.
Delaying or neglecting medical treatment
This is one of the worst mistakes you can make in a personal injury case. A medical report that shows the extent of your injuries is a vital piece of evidence in a personal injury claim. This medical report is evidence of your injuries and that they occurred as a result of the accident. Delaying or neglecting medical treatment will give the insurance company grounds to challenge your claim.
Seek medical treatment as soon as possible after the accident. Have your injuries checked by a doctor even when they seem minor. Some injuries can take time to manifest. Getting a medical examination ensures all your injuries are identified promptly.
Failing to gather information at the scene of the accident
If you have been involved in an accident and are not severely injured, be sure to gather information at the scene of the accident. This may involve taking photos of the scene of the accident and your injuries, taking down contact information of witnesses at the scene of the accident, taking photos of vehicles as well as taking contact and insurance information of the at-fault party.
The information available at the scene of the accident is still fresh and can be used to determine where fault lies. Gathering information immediately ensures you capture evidence fresh and before it is tampered with.
Not hiring a personal injury attorney right from the start
Some personal injury victims are concerned about the cost of hiring a personal injury attorney. They attempt to file their personal injury claims on their own. However, they soon find out that the claims process isn’t as simple as many believe.
Insurance companies will do all they can to avoid suffering a loss by having to pay your claim. They have an experienced legal team to represent them in claims. Hiring a personal injury attorney evens the playing field. It will improve your chances of getting compensation. You will also avoid being tricked into accepting a low offer.
Many personal injury lawyers charge for their services on a contingency fee basis. This means that they only get paid if they win. Their fee is a percentage of the amount you are given as compensation. You therefore won’t have to worry about paying their fees out of pocket.
Talking to the insurance company
Both the insurance company and your lawyer will begin gathering evidence from the moment you begin the claims process. Everything you say and do can have an impact on the outcome of the case. It is therefore important to avoid talking to the insurance company and any of its representatives. They can easily take anything you say and twist it to challenge your claim.
Direct all communication about your case to your attorney. Avoid talking to anyone or posting anything about your case online.
Avoid the mistakes above after an injury to improve your chances of getting maximum compensation for your injuries.