No one likes to make mistakes. Fortunately, when they occur, we learn something valuable and move on. However, one of the worst times to make a mistake is after an accident that you played no part in causing. Unfortunately, many accident victims make common mistakes when it comes to a personal injury lawsuit, which can sabotage their case.
If you’ve recently been involved in a Hoosier State accident that was no fault of your own, reach out to Yosha Law Firm in Indianapolis. Their personal injury professionals can help guide you and ensure you’re properly compensated for your accident-related damages.
6 Common Personal Injury Accident Mistakes To Avoid
To ensure you’re compensated for the damages you sustained from the accident, you must get all your ducks in a row as early as possible. Indiana’s personal injury statute of limitations is two years, meaning you can only file a legal claim within two years of the accident or the date you discovered your injuries. The process can be time-consuming, and navigating Indiana’s legal labyrinth can confuse the average person.
Our list of 6 common personal injury accident mistakes to avoid can enlighten you as to the most important dos and don’ts when seeking compensation and pursuing justice.
1. Not Seeking or Maintaining Medical Treatment
A big part of filing a personal injury claim after an accident that caused you injuries that weren’t your fault is to receive compensation for your damages. You’ll be hard-pressed to do so if you’ve delayed seeking or continuing your medical treatment. Insurance companies will use this to their advantage by claiming your injuries aren’t as severe as you say.
An accident victim should seek medical care as soon as possible after an accident, and it’s pertinent that they follow their doctor’s orders to the letter of the law. Missing or postponing medical appointments will send red flags to the defendant’s legal team and should be avoided.
2. Not Hiring a Lawyer
Without an experienced Indiana personal injury lawyer to guide you through the process of gathering the necessary evidence to prove your claim and file a lawsuit, there are too many legal loopholes that you can easily fall into. To receive a successful settlement, you’ll need a lawyer’s legal savvy to cover all of your economic and non-economic damages.
Most personal injury law firms offer a free consultation to discuss the details of your case, so there’s no fear of having to pay them for the privilege of their knowledge. Most will take your case on a contingency fee basis, meaning they’ll only be paid if you receive a settlement.
3. Blabbing on Social Media
We’ve all become comfortable airing our complaints on social media accounts. Although it may be a safe way to vent and rant about the injustice forced upon you, doing so could completely sabotage your personal injury case. It must be done no matter how difficult it can be to refrain from expressing yourself on social media.
The defendant’s legal team can use your social media posts against you. If you claim life-altering physical injuries or emotional trauma due to the accident, yet your social media posts paint a different picture, this doesn’t help you receive compensation. Savvy personal injury attorneys will recommend that their clients stay off of social media until their cases are settled.
4. Accepting the Insurance Company’s First Settlement Offer
If the at-fault party’s legal team or insurance company has reached out to you to offer a settlement before you even file a case, it’s not in your best interest to accept it. What may at first appear to be a fair offer and a quick and easy way to put this traumatic event behind you isn’t always what it seems. Insurance companies want to limit financial losses and try to entice you with a fast settlement.
Never accept this first offer. Without the strength of an experienced personal injury attorney’s negotiating savvy, you’ll leave money on the table and sign away any rights to future compensation.
5. Giving a Recorded Statement
Insurance companies can be quite sneaky and unscrupulous regarding a personal injury claim. Some may contact victims under the guise of allowing them to tell their side of the story when trying to get them to admit to something that could resolve them of any responsibility.
This highlights the necessity of hiring an attorney to handle your case. If contacted, don’t agree to provide them with a recorded statement. Politely refer them to your attorney’s office.
6. Admitting Fault
After an accident, it’s all too common to apologize, even if you did nothing wrong. This basic human instinct can come back to haunt you when it comes time to negotiate a settlement or file a lawsuit. Admitting fault to the defendant, law enforcement, or an insurance company can severely damage your case.
Avoid These Common Personal Injury Lawsuit Mistakes Explained
The importance of hiring a personal injury attorney after an accident cannot be stressed enough. You’ll need the savvy and guidance of a legal professional to receive the maximum compensation for economic and non-economic damages you deserve.
Avoid posting anything on social media, and never agree to a recorded statement to a defendant’s legal team or the insurance company. Working with an experienced personal injury attorney is always the way to ensure you’re fully compensated.
