Many accident victims don’t get all the compensation they are entitled to receive. Unfortunately, they do so by making mistakes that damage their cases.
Common Accident Victim Mistakes to Avoid
Following are the 8 common accident victim mistakes to avoid:
Not Consulting Your Lawyer Before Giving Statement to a Claims Adjuster
A claim adjuster may ask you to record a statement after an accident. This adjuster will seem kind and understanding. Remember, however, that the insurance adjuster wants to deceive you in order to submit a lower claim.
Any statements you make can and will be used to reduce the amount of money you receive, as insurers are trained to persuade accident victims to make false claims. A lawyer should always be consulted prior to giving an insurance adjuster a statement.
Not Obtaining Legal Advice Before Signing Insurance Company Documents
They may also try to get you to make negative comments about your case, such as signing documents and forms that benefit their company. You may be required to sign authorizations allowing for the collection of your health information and to sign a release ending your case.
It is well known that many accident victims have been fooled by insurance adjusters into signing paperwork that properly ended their claims for a very small amount of money. Before signing any insurance contracts, consult an attorney to ensure that you don’t make the same mistake.
Inability to Getting Information From The Scene Of An Accident
A lawyer will be able to build the most effective case for you if they get the necessary information at the scene of the accident. It is essential to get the names, addresses, work, and home phone numbers of all witnesses. The insurance company name and policy number of the other driver should also be obtained after a car collision. Make note of the situation and any physical evidence.
Not Getting Medical Care in a Timely Manner
It is common for accident victims to put off seeking medical attention for too long. There are several reasons why you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. Your first concern should be to make sure any injuries you may have are addressed promptly and do not worsen.
A doctor’s report is also an essential tool to establish the extent of your injuries, which is crucial to establishing the amount of compensation you’re entitled to. Last but not least, some insurance companies (and courts) believe that if you don’t see a doctor as soon as you claim, your injuries may not be as serious as you claim.
Failure to Follow Your Doctor’s Instructions
There is a responsibility on the part of accident victims to minimize the severity of their injuries. If you don’t follow your doctor’s advice on how to get better – for instance, you stop your treatment without his or her permission – you could lose your reimbursement as insurance companies and courts are hesitant to pay for legitimate injuries. Don’t disobey your doctor by skipping an appointment or disregarding his or her orders. Many accident victims make this mistake.
Insufficient Records Of Accident Expenses and Problems
Medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and lifestyle modifications are among the expenses accident victims are entitled to compensation for. It is important to keep detailed records of all accident-related expenses and physical and other symptoms you experienced as a result of the accident. This will ensure you get all the compensation you are entitled to.
Not Seeking Legal Advice Soon Enough
If you wait too long to seek legal help, you may have trouble finding evidence and witnesses, and you are more likely to make an error, such as providing an incorrect statement to an insurance adjuster. In the event you delay getting legal advice, you may lose your claim because the deadline for submitting claims has passed. Don’t wait too long to talk to an attorney. This will greatly slow down your recovery time.
You Settle Too Soon Before You Know All of Your Injuries
Accident victims often believe their injuries are minor and are willing to accept a quick settlement just to get rid of the problem. In the event that their injuries prove to be worse than they originally thought, they cannot receive more money from the insurance company. Always remember that injuries often take time to heal. If you settle your claim before determining the extent of your injuries and financial losses, you may lose your opportunity to recover.
Accident victims tend to make some mistakes that can negatively impact their case. Contact Deldar Legal Injury Attorneys for advice on what you should do after an accident. You can prevent these and other mistakes by contacting us as soon as possible after an accident and improving your chances of receiving the best settlement.
Tagged with: 8 Common Accident Victim Mistakes to Avoid, Accident victim mistakes in California, Accident victims, deldar legal injury attorneys, Deldar Legal Injury Attorneys in California, Deldar Legal Personal Injury Attorney, How deldar legal injury attorney can help you after an accident, How to avoid accident victim mistakes, how to get help from a personal injury lawyer after an accident, Mistakes by accident victims, what mistakes do accident victims make?
Posted in: Auto Accidents