Personal injury claims can be a complex process, and mistakes made during the course of your claim can have serious consequences.
To ensure that you get the best outcome possible, it is important to understand common mistakes made in personal injury cases and how to avoid them. From failing to seek medical attention to settling too soon, there are several missteps that could harm your case.
In this article, we will discuss seven common mistakes you should try to avoid when filing a personal injury claim. By understanding these pitfalls ahead of time, you can protect yourself from making costly errors or missing out on potential compensation for your losses.
1. Failing to Obtain Proper Medical Treatment for Your Injury
One of the biggest mistakes that people make when dealing with a personal injury case is neglecting to seek necessary medical attention. If you’re ever hurt in an accident, you should always see a doctor as quickly as possible so you can start the healing process and receive expert advice on how to move forward with your case.
Even if it doesn’t seem like a big deal at first, completely ignoring any injury may leave you in an extremely vulnerable position down the line – you might end up having to pay for more expensive treatments later, or legally forfeit your right to financial benefits due to a lack of proving that the injury was caused during an accident.
Put yourself and your health first by seeking appropriate medical treatment after any type of injury related to an accident!
2. Not Keeping Track of All Expenses Related to The Accident and Injuries
When dealing with a personal injury case, it’s important to keep track of any and all expenses related to the accident and injuries – no matter how small. Experts like those at DuBoff & Associates recommend tracking medical bills, extra lodging, loss of income, and costs for hiring help. Not doing so could result in failing to recoup those funds when going through the litigation process.
Additionally, failing to document all the necessary expenses can complicate your personal injury claim by making it difficult to prove damages were caused by the accident or injury. To ensure you don’t submit fraudulent claims, ensure you have all your documentation ready prior to filing with an attorney or dispute resolution firm.
3. Seeking Advice from Unqualified Legal Professionals or Non-Lawyers
When you’re trying to win a personal injury claim, the last thing you want is for your case to be led astray by sub-par legal advice. That’s why it’s so important to find a qualified lawyer or a legal professional who can provide expertise in the area of personal injury law.
Even if non-legal friends and family members have excellent advice to offer, they don’t specialize in the relevant field, which means they won’t be able to provide the right kind of legal insight that you need.
To ensure that your case stands its best chance, the contributions of an experienced attorney are essential. With their help, you should be able to navigate any legal hurdles with ease and feel confident that you’re doing everything possible to get a positive outcome.
4. Not Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit Within the Time Limit Set by The Applicable State Law
One common thing to watch out for when handling a personal injury case is the statute of limitations. This is essentially a time limit that states the amount of time you have to file your lawsuit after being injured or having an accident.
Failure to adhere to the set statute of limitations can mean that any shot you had at financial compensation from a defendant goes out the window. So, it’s important for those who’ve experienced a personal injury to make sure they are aware of their state law and don’t miss this important deadline.
The specifics vary from state to state, so do your research ahead of time and be vigilant in monitoring the timeline if you plan on filing a claim.
5. Accepting an Insurance Settlement that Is Less than You Deserve
One of the most common mistakes people make when filing a personal injury case is accepting an insurance settlement that is far less than they deserve. This can leave you with too few funds to:
- Cover your medical bills
- Treatments
- Other costs resulting from the accident
Unless you have the expertise and knowledge of personal injury law, it can be hard to accurately gauge the true value of your claim. You should always seek legal advice from an experienced attorney who can assess the situation properly before you agree to anything.
Taking this step will help ensure that you get a fair settlement that covers all your costs so you don’t suffer any financial consequences as a result of someone else’s negligence.
6. Signing a Release or Other Documents without Consulting with An Experienced Lawyer First
One of the most costly and regrettable mistakes you can make in a personal injury case is signing a release or other documents without first consulting an experienced lawyer.
You owe it to yourself to have an advocate:
- Who understands the legal process
- Knows how to negotiate on your behalf
- Can protect your rights
Without a lawyer’s advice, you could be putting yourself at risk for unfair compensation, or even worse, being held responsible for someone else’s injuries.
So believe us when we say, if you’re handling a personal injury claim, speak with an experienced attorney first!
7. Making Public Statements to Anyone Other than Your Attorney or Medical Providers
One mistake to avoid is speaking to anyone other than your attorney or medical providers regarding the accident, as anything you say could be used against you. Publicly making statements about the incident before consulting a lawyer can damage your case and put your settlement in jeopardy.
Refrain from:
- Discussing the details of the accident on social media
- Discuss with family and friends
- Give a recorded statement to the insurance company without first talking to your personal injury lawyer
While discussing the matter openly may seem natural, it’s important to practice caution when speaking publicly about any aspect of the incident or giving details about your treatment.
Involved in a Personal Injury Case? Get Help Today
It is essential to understand the common mistakes that could prevent you from obtaining a favorable outcome in your personal injury case.
From being aware of the applicable state law and statute of limitations to seek legal advice before signing any documents or making public statements – these are all important steps you should take when filing a claim for compensation.
If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, it’s time to get help today. Contact an experienced attorney who can advise on how best to proceed with your case and ensure that your rights remain protected throughout the process. With their assistance, you can be sure that no critical details are overlooked as they work diligently towards getting justice for you!
Thanks for reading and y’all stay dandy.
-Diego
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