Common Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Personal Injury Case

#1. Not taking immediate action after the accident

We understand it is difficult to make a decision immediately after the accident, as most people remain in shock and confusion following the incidents. It is normal. But there are a few things you need to do immediately after the accident to protect your rights. On failing to do this, you may have to face serious consequences in terms of your personal injury case.

If you have an auto accident, here are the things you should do.

• Immediately stop your vehicle on the side of the road, so that you don’t block traffic.
• Check for any injuries or damages.
• Neither accuse anyone of the accident nor admit that you’re at fault, just stay calm.
• Immediately call the police to complete an accident report. After obtaining a copy of the police report, carefully review it to ensure all accident details are accurate. Keep in mind that this report can serve as evidence to support your claim that someone else’s negligence caused your injury.
• If the accident is serious, call 911 if you’re in your senses or ask some other person to do it for you. Seeking medical care immediately can help prevent further complications.
• Do not forget to write down the name, address, license plate number and phone number of the person involved in an accident as well as the witnesses to the accident.

By taking these steps, you can properly establish your personal injury case, as the actions you take can significantly impact its outcome. 

#2. Failing to document everything

Another grave mistake most people make is failing to document all the details about the accident. Therefore, when you are involved in an accident, the first thing you need to do is immediately document all the details. Any delay can result in fading of the memories and important evidence, the wrecked vehicles can be repaired, or the witnesses may move away.

All these things are important to make your personal injury case stronger and can help you get fair compensation. Apart from this, make sure you also record your injuries and recovery, difficulty performing some activities, and ongoing medication or treatment on a daily basis.

Please remember, when you make notes, do not forget to include the date.

#3. Delay in visiting your doctor

It is very important to seek immediate medical attention from a licensed physician after the accident.

If your healthcare provider recommends any treatment or medications, make sure you follow it diligently.

Never discontinue or take breaks from the treatment, instead follow the treatment as instructed by your medical provider.

If the opposition lawyer and the insurance company come to know that you delayed visiting your physician after the accident or you didn’t follow the treatment properly, they will get a chance to rule out your personal injury in several ways, such as:

• You were not injured in the accident
• Your injuries were not really serious
• Your injuries aggravated by not following the treatment or medication

It’s crucial to visit a medical professional promptly after the accident and diligently follow their recommended treatment plan to increase your chances of winning your personal injury case. Failure to do so could negatively affect your ability to recover fair compensation for your injury.

#4. Signing a document

Word for a lifetime, never sign any documents without reading and understanding it. Doing so could turn out to be one of your major mistakes after an accident, which may result in denied and underpaid compensation.

It is always recommended having your personal injury lawyer by your side before you sign any document that comes from the insurance policy.

When it comes to accident victims, they go through a lot both mentally, physically and financially. As a result, accident victims feel very miserable. After all, an accident has disrupted the victim’s everyday life and all he/she may want is to end the entire ordeal as soon as possible. In such situations, some injured people may become ready to cooperate with the opposition party or insurance company because they don’t want any mess and want to get back to their normal lives.

Hence, they start to believe that the insurance company has their best interest, they end up signing a document without even understanding it.

Instead, always seek your lawyer’s advice, as he/she is familiar with the insurance company’s tactics and will never let you anything that ruins your case.

#5. Failing to hire a personal injury lawyer

If you have experienced minor property damage or soft tissue damage, you can get it settled quickly for a reasonable amount without the assistance of an attorney.

However, in case of severe injuries and major property damage, it is best to work with an experienced attorney. She/he will not only evaluate your claim but also assist you throughout the case and represent you in the court. An experienced attorney can help ensure your personal injury case is filed within your state’s statute of limitations. This legal deadline determines the time frame in which you must file your case to avoid forfeiting your right to compensation. Failing to initiate a claim within this period could lead to receiving no compensation for your injuries.  

Keep in mind that the attorney you choose has years of experience handling personal injury cases and is one of the reputed lawyers in your area.

Considering the complexity of the legal world, it is not possible for any lawyer to be a jack of all trades. This is because if a lawyer handles different types of legal cases, she or he won’t be able to stay abreast of the regular updates in all of those areas.

Hence, it is crucial to hire a lawyer specialized in handling personal injury cases.

In closing

Please remember, making mistakes in your legal case can cost a lot of money. In worse cases, you may end up losing a case. Therefore, if you or your loved one recently have an auto accident due to someone’s negligence, immediately consult the best personal injury lawyer in your area. They will assist you on what to do next as well as evaluate your case.