Any injury could have serious effects on your way of life. Loss of income, chronic pain, and medical bills are only some of the possible hardships that come with personal injury. Certain mistakes in handling your case may limit what you can recover. Errors may lead to insurance companies denying your claim or a judge dismissing your lawsuit.
At Jeff GOULD Law, we’ve been successfully handling personal injury cases for over 20 years. We are the Attorney in YOUR Corner and will protect your interests every step of the way. Here are 5 major mistakes to avoid in a personal injury case if you want the best chance at maximizing your recovery and damages.
Delaying or Declining Medical Treatment
A common mistake that personal injury victims make is failing to see a doctor immediately following the accident. Any injury, especially if it may adversely affect your life, should be treated as soon as possible. This will ensure that there are no underlying effects from the accident that could seriously hinder your personal health.
Obtaining medical treatment early and as directed for injuries proximately caused by the accident provides; written documentation; a timeline; and a records your reasonable and necessary action to medically mitigate your damages.
It is important that your lawyer has all the facts in order to advocate effectively on your behalf.Records also serve as proof for the severity of the inflicted injuries. If you intend to seek compensation for your injuries, you will need proof that your injuries occurred. If there is no hard evidence of injury or effort from the injured party to get medical treatment, insurance companies may be able to more easily challenge your claim.
Failing to Disclose any Facts Concerning the Incident
When retelling the circumstances that led to your injuries, it’s important NOT to embellish the facts of the incident. It’s also important to NOT withhold any pertinent information from your personal injury lawyer.
Your lawyer needs to know the truth to the best of your recollection. It’s your lawyer’s job to present the facts as strongly as possible to advocate in your favor, and they can’t do this if they don’t have the whole truth. Your personal injury lawyer is on your side – you need to be honest with them so that they can present your case in the best possible light without risking credibility.
Accepting the First Settlement Offer
If you have a strong case, you may receive a settlement offer from whoever was responsible for your injuries, their attorney, or most likely, their insurance company. Going through a personal injury case can be stressful and time consuming, and it may be tempting to accept this offer. It’s important to resist the urge to accept the first offer as it is always low-ball and only favors the at-fault party and their insurer. It is never fair or reasonable.
The insurance company’s goal is to pay you as little as possible – not what will fairly compensate you for your losses and injuries. Before accepting any offer, consult a personal injury lawyer who can evaluate the strength of your personal injury case and advise you on the best outcome. If the insurance company needs an answer “right away” as to whether or not you will accept the offer, the answer should be a resounding “NO”.
Not Watching What you Sign or Who You Talk to
Aside from exchanging information with the other people involved in the incident and providing your license or insurance information to any law enforcement at the scene, it’s advisable not to speak to anyone but your lawyer about your case. Do not admit any degree of fault to anyone at the scene or afterward, even if you feel you were actually at fault. Your lawyer can share that information at the appropriate time if and when it is necessary.
At Jeff GOULD Law, we cannot emphasize this enough- speaking at an accident scene other than providing required information to law enforcement is ill advised. Do not give a statement to any adverse 3rd Party insurance company or sign any information releases or permission to obtain medical records without first getting the advice of your personal injury lawyer.
Waiting to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
Another mistake that many people make is failing to hire a personal injury lawyer as soon as they realize that they may have a personal injury case. A lawyer can gather all necessary information and evidence, negotiate with insurance companies and handle talking to the other attorneys involved. Without the help of a personal injury lawyer, a personal injury claim for justly deserved compensation for injuries and damages could fail.
At Jeff GOULD Law, no personal injury case is too small. We are here to offer legal counsel and advice to take away the hassles and allow you to focus on healing. We have helped hundreds of clients maximize recovery for injury damages. If you or someone you know was involved in an accident and sustained injuries, avoid these potentially costly mistakes and let the experts handle your personal injury case for you.
DISCLAIMER: The information on this blog/site is NOT, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. It is for general informational use only. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Further, this information does not create an attorney-client relationship.