Accidents that happen to one person due to the negligence of another are frequent. The victims of those accidents are the ones who suffer the most, especially if their injuries are serious. They end up spending some time in hospitals, or they may be compelled to pay medical bills and to skip work. If this has happened to you, it is no surprise that you feel frustrated because of lost wages and additionally, the money that you had to pay at the hospital. Luckily, you can file a claim and get compensated for your time and money. However, the people of the law have to validate your case first. Here are 7 mistakes you should avoid when filing a personal injury claim.
Not Seeking Medical Attention Right Away
Your accident might not seem like a big deal until you’ve had a medical examination. This is why you need to seek medical attention right away, even if you don’t feel any symptoms. Some symptoms only appear days later after the accident. That said, neglecting medical attention might hinder your recovery process and cause complications. Besides, if you seek help late or if you never do, this will affect your claim. You need proof of the injury to provide to the insurance company. On top of that, you need to prove that the injury happened as a result of the accident.
Not Consulting a Lawyer
The first thing you need to do after the accident, and after seeking medical help, is to consult a lawyer. A lot of lawyers offer free consultations, and you can consult more than one lawyer to decide who can take on your case. Lawyers will do all the extra work for you, like investigating, collecting evidence, and talking to witnesses. According to one personal injury Lawyer in Tulsa, evidence can disappear quickly and witnesses can forget. Search for a reliable lawyer in your local area to collect every piece of evidence that will help your claim.
Filing the Claim Too Late
There’s a time window when you have to file the claim or else it would be invalid. This is called the statute of limitations. It can range from 1 to 2 years or more. With that being said, it can be hard to prove anything months after the accident. By that time, you might not find medical records and the witnesses in question will probably have forgotten about what they saw. For that reason, it’s best to file the claim as soon as you can.
Concealing Facts from Your Lawyer
It’s hard for your lawyer to help if you don’t tell them everything exactly as it happened. Even the littlest detail can change how the claim goes. Exaggerating is another thing you should avoid doing. Say what happened as it is and remember that your lawyer is here to help you and is on your side. If you don’t give facts, you might end up damaging your credibility and that of your attorney.
Negotiating without Your Lawyer
Negotiating is part of your attorney’s job. They studied for years and they have practiced negotiating. You have to let them do all the talking with the other party and the insurance company. If you do the negotiating alone, you might settle for much less money than you deserve, or you can lose your claim. Don’t settle privately before you consult your lawyer first to be sure that the settlement is legal. Remember that it’s in your lawyer’s best interest to get you the biggest settlement that you deserve.
Posting about the Accident on Social Media
Everything related to the accident should stay between you and your attorney. People post everything on social media nowadays. The problem is that it can all be traced and used against you. Anyone from the insurance adjuster, to the other party involved in the accident, can use what you post to their advantage. Tell your family and friends not to post about your accident either. You should also refrain from saying things on social media that might make you seem irresponsible or reckless.
Saying the Wrong Things
When talking to other parties involved in the accident, or talking to witnesses, you have to watch what you say. You never know what can be said against you. Only talk to your lawyer about the accident, and never admit that the accident could have been your fault, especially if you’re unsure.
Taking the right steps is crucial for your claim. You have to do everything by the law. Further, no one knows how to do everything by the law better than lawyers. Listen to your lawyer and follow their instructions. That said, you should be careful what you say and whom you talk to, and don’t write about the accident on your social media pages, seeing as this information can be used against you in court. If you do things right, you will most likely get what’s rightfully yours.