Accidents happen in life. When this occurs, people can be injured or even killed. A personal injury lawsuit for compensation may be filed if the victim can demonstrate that another person or entity was to blame for the incident.
There are various actions you can take to strengthen your injury claim, like hiring a personal injury lawyer, but you should also be aware that there are several mistakes you can make that could hurt your likelihood of winning a personal injury claim.
As a result, you must know how to file a claim for personal injury and what types of mistakes can significantly reduce your compensation amount. With careful consideration and the correct information, you can reduce the likelihood of losing compensation because of errors made when filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Please keep reading to find out more about some of the most common mistakes to avoid when filing a personal injury claim.
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Not Seeking Medical Attention
One of the biggest mistakes plaintiffs make is not seeing a doctor immediately after the accident. Even if you believe you were not badly injured at the time of the incident, make sure you seek medical care.
Some personal injury problems may not manifest for several days or even months. However, if you go see a doctor soon after your unfortunate incident, it will be documented that you sought medical attention. When you eventually follow up because of the emergence or escalation of symptoms, you’ll have a paper trail to trace those ailments back to the accident.
Choosing Not to Hire an Attorney
Dealing with a personal injury claim can be overwhelming, especially if you are also injured or experiencing emotional distress as a result of wrongful death. Hiring a lawyer can relieve you of this burden.
Apart from the stress, appointing a personal injury attorney can help protect you from insurance firms that may not be looking out for your best interests. They’ll have defense attorneys on their side who will try to settle the case for the least amount of money possible or keep you from collecting any money at all.
Having a lawyer in your corner who understands the true value and scope of your claim and is willing to fight for you can ensure that you are fairly compensated for all the damages you have incurred.
Posting On Social Media.
Making a social media post right after filing a personal injury claim is almost always a bad idea. Online posts, videos, and photos are increasingly being used as evidence to call into question your accident, injuries, or overall character.
Insurance companies will track your social media profiles and activity after you file your lawsuit to determine if you posted anything that may contradict or invalidate your claim (even if they have to take something that is totally out of context).
This is why it’s best to avoid social media until your case has been resolved. Furthermore, whenever possible, encourage your loved ones to refrain from discussing your lawsuit on their social media accounts.
Speaking With Insurance Agents Without The Assistance Of A Lawyer
The other side’s insurance company will almost certainly offer you a settlement, and even more so if they believe their client is at fault. That settlement aims to prevent you from teaming up with a personal injury lawyer to obtain significantly more compensation than they are trying to offer. If you accept their bid, you will not be able to file future personal injury claims relating to that incident. This is yet another major personal injury lawsuit blunder that can be easily avoided.
Exaggerating Your Injuries
Exaggerating your injuries to obtain more compensation can be tempting. When you communicate your injuries to your doctor, you must be truthful and resist exaggerating your condition. Without first consulting with an attorney, you should not talk about your injuries with the insurance company or grant the insurer access to your medical files.
Not Planning To Go The Distance
Most personal injury claims never make it to court. In most cases, a settlement is entered before either party has to go to trial. That being said, it would be foolish not to prepare for the possibility. If the insurer sees a potential flaw in your claim, they may be willing to wait until court.
Conclusion
When filing personal injury claims, avoid the risk of making a mistake. Instead of attempting to handle the case on your own. Lawyers of Justice, PC’s California personal injury attorneys are committed to assisting injured people and their families in moving forward after an injury resulting from the negligence of another.
You will have dedicated personal injury attorneys on your side as a result, allowing you to navigate the possible complications that could arise with your injury claim.
You will have comfort and a sense of security knowing that you are working with trusted, experienced professionals to deliver the greatest possible resolution to your case.
