Personal injury claims are designed to help you get the compensation you need to heal and move on with your life. Their main aim is getting justice and securing the resources you need to move forward. But the process isn’t always fair, and one wrong step can make it a whole lot harder than it needs to be.
However, handling a personal injury claim can be pretty complex. That’s why it’s crucial to have a good personal injury lawyer who can guide you through the process and help you avoid costly mistakes. Without proper representation, people often make mistakes that can totally mess up their claims.
Here are some of the most common ones people often make:
1. Delay of Medical Care
If you’re hurt in an accident, it’s essential to see a doctor ASAP. This might seem obvious, but lots of people make the mistake of thinking they can just walk it off. Don’t do this! Some injuries don’t show up right away, and if you don’t get medical attention, you might end up with serious long-term damage.
Plus, if you don’t see a doctor, the insurance company might say that you weren’t badly injured, hence your delay in getting medical attention. And, if you yourself couldn’t be bothered to take your own injuries seriously, why should they have to pay you the outrageous amount you’re asking for as compensation?
Don’t give them this opportunity because they will take it, and if you’re not lucky, the jury will most likely side with them.
2. Trusting the Insurance Company to Be on Your Side
Insurance companies are not in the business of helping people. They’re in the business of making money, and every dollar they pay out is a dollar off their bottom line.
So when they call you sounding friendly and supportive, don’t be fooled. They’re not looking out for you; they’re looking for ways to pay you less.
One common tactic is asking you to give a recorded statement before you’ve even had a chance to process what’s happened.
They might act like it’s standard procedure, but what they’re really doing is trying to catch you off guard, hoping you’ll downplay your injuries or accidentally say something they can twist against you.
3. Not Gathering Evidence
Evidence is everything in a personal injury claim. If you’re hurt in an accident, try to collect as much evidence as you can. This might include:
- Photos or videos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage
- Contact info for witnesses who saw what happened
- Copies of medical records, bills, and receipts for any expenses related to your injury
Without solid evidence, it’s your word against theirs. And honestly, that’s not a good place to be.
4. Waiting Too Long to File a Claim
If you’re hurt in an accident, filing a claim ASAP is essential. There’s a deadline for filing personal injury claims, and if you miss it, you’re out of luck.
Even if you have time, waiting too long can hurt your case. Memories fade, evidence disappears, and it just gets harder to prove what happened.
