3 Personal Injury Case Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Did you know that Americans visit the emergency room 97.9 million times for unintentional injuries each year? While many of those accidents are self-inflicted, others are the result of another person’s negligence.
If you find yourself injured as a result of someone’s carelessness, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against them. This claim helps you get the money you need to pay for damages and medical treatments. But many people end up making personal injury case mistakes that can cost them hundreds of dollars.
Here are a few of the most common mistakes you’ll want to avoid making at all costs.
1. Not Going to the Doctor After the Accident
If you’re involved in any type of accident, the best thing you can do for yourself and your personal injury claim is to seek medical attention. Your doctor will be able to document the severity of your injuries and prescribe a treatment plan to help you recover.
You can use this information in your personal injury case to show how severe your injuries are to increase the likelihood of a larger settlement amount.
If you don’t go to the doctor, you risk making your injuries seem less serious than they are. Worse, it can make getting a fair settlement almost impossible.
2. Apologizing When It Wasn’t Your Fault
It’s normal to apologize for accidents, even if you’re not at fault. But doing so can be detrimental to your personal injury claim.
When you apologize, you imply to the other party that you are at least partially responsible for the accident. Once you do this, they can use that apology against you to dismiss your claim or reduce the settlement you might receive.
Resist the urge to apologize after the accident. If you’re truly worried about saying something that could impact your claim, be silent.
3. Accepting a Settlement Without Talking to Your Attorney
When you’re dealing with different types of personal injuries, all you want to do is focus on your recovery. That means you’re likely more willing to accept the first settlement offer you receive.
According to Heritage Accident Lawyers, insurance companies often lowball injured parties. If you accept that low settlement offer, you waive your right to contest it in the future.
Instead, save yourself the frustration and speak with your attorney as soon as you realize that you have a personal injury claim. They’ll be able to review your case and help you get the fairest settlement possible.
Avoid Making These Personal Injury Case Mistakes
If you’re injured, you deserve to be able to focus on your recovery. The best way to do that is to avoid making these personal injury case mistakes from the very beginning.
As long as you consult with an attorney and let them guide you through the process, you’ll be able to get a fair settlement without having to stress about your claim.
Looking for ways to further speed your recovery and stay healthy once you heal? Check out our latest posts for more tips and tricks to help you stay healthy and reduce stress.
