For most people, driving a car is something they do without much thought. As time goes by, people who drive everyday start to forget about the dangers lurking around every corner. Each year, over 20 million people are injured in car accidents around the world. Being involved in a car accident can be traumatizing.
Not only will these accidents cause damage to your car, but they can also cause major bodily harm as well. If you are injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, filing a personal injury lawsuit may be necessary. Here are some of the mistakes you will need to avoid if you want to win a personal injury lawsuit.
Failing to Collect Your Own Evidence
In the moments after a car wreck occurs, you will undoubtedly feel confused. Once you regain your composure, your main goal needs to be collecting evidence. According to mirmanlawyers.com, collecting evidence is one of the most important things a potential client can do after an accident. Doing things like taking pictures and writing down the tag number of the other driver is crucial.
Some people simply sit and wait for the cops to arrive before they even get out of their car. If you are able to get out after a wreck, you need to. The more evidence you have proving the other driver was negligent, the easier it will be to win a personal injury lawsuit. Utilizing the power of your smartphone will allow you to collect all of the pictures you need from the scene of the accident.
Be Honest About Past Injuries
As you start to receive treatment for the injuries you sustained in a car accident, the doctor will ask about any previous injuries. Trying to be evasive about these past injuries can be problematic. Some people try to blame all of the physical ailments they have on a recent accident because they think this will increase the amount of money they will be awarded.
If the lawyer for the other party finds out you are being untruthful about your injuries, they can use this against you. Instead of losing out on compensation for your injuries, you need to be as truthful as possible with the doctor treating you.
Avoid Speaking With the Insurance Company Without a Lawyer
Once the dust from a car accident has settled, you will have to deal with a lot of problems. One of the main problems you will notice following an accident is constant calls from the insurance company representing the negligent party. Generally, these insurance companies will want to corner an accident victim and get them to settle right away. Speaking with an insurance company following a car accident should be avoided unless you have a lawyer present.
A lawyer will be able to speak on your behalf to the representative from the insurance company. The last thing a lawyer will advise you to do is settle right away. This can result in you losing a lot of money. Instead of making the mistake of engaging with the insurance company following an accident, you need to refer them to your attorney.
Ignoring the Need For Medical Attention
Some people claim to feel fine following a car accident. Just because you feel fine doesn’t mean you should ignore the need for medical treatment. Once you call 911 to report your accident, they will dispatch a police officer and an ambulance. Allowing the EMTs working on the ambulance to check you out for possible injuries is vital.
Not only can this help you find internal injuries that may be present, but it also gives you an opportunity to create more legal documentation for your upcoming case. Your lawyer will want as much documentation as you can provide showing the other party was at fault for the wreck in question. With the accident report and your medical records, you can start to piece together a winning case.
Don’t Talk About Your Case on Social Media
If you are like most people, you spend a lot of time on social media. While this is a great place to connect with friends and family, it is not a place to discuss personal legal matters. If you start to provide details about your case online, you may get in a bit of trouble. Not to mention that if you are posting pictures of you looking in good health when you are supposedly injured can create doubt in the mind of legal professionals.
Instead of using social media to air your grievances in regards to a pending personal injury case, use it as a way to stay connected with loved ones. By doing this, you can increase your chances of winning the case.
Failing to Go In For Consultations
Most people fail to realize just how many different personal injury lawyers there are. Instead of getting overwhelmed with the number of personal injury attorneys in your area, you need to take time to research each one. Trying to rush through the lawyer selection process can come back to haunt you. Scheduling consultations with lawyers in your area is a great idea.
Before going in for one of these consultations, you will need to collect some documentation. An attorney will want to see things like the accident report filled out by the police officer on the scene and a copy of your medical bills. With this information, an attorney can get a feel for how good your case actually is. Preparing a comprehensive list of questions to ask each attorney can help you narrow down the selection in no time.
Finding a Lawyer Takes Time
Choosing the right attorney is something you should view as a priority. Going in for consultations will provide you with the information needed to choose an attorney and ultimately win your case. While this process can be time-consuming, it is vital when trying to get the best legal representation.
