Mistakes to Avoid When Filing a Personal Injury Claim

The immediate time after sustaining a serious injury is often chaotic and tumultuous and can leave victims feeling overwhelmed. Filing a claim often adds to the stress of being injured. To make matters worse, mistakes that you may not be aware of can cause delays and even outright denials.

​One of the choices you can make is to hire a skilled personal injury attorney. Your lawyer will advise you of your rights and reduce your risk of making mistakes that may negatively impact your claim.

If you're considering filing a personal injury claim, here are some mistakes you should avoid.

Declining or Waiting to Seek Medical Attention

Too often, an injured person avoids immediate medical attention for a variety of reasons, especially when they don't immediately feel the injuries. However, it is critical for you to get medical attention as soon as possible to ensure your injuries are treated immediately, even if it is an injury resulting from a medical procedure.

By law, emergency rooms will treat all patients regardless of their ability to pay, so don't let lack of insurance prevent you from seeking the medical treatment that you need. Having a medical professional treat your injuries right away is a crucial part of recovering compensation for your medical bills and other losses.

Waiting to seek medical attention may reduce the amount of your settlement. The insurance company may argue that by failing to seek immediate medical attention, you made your injuries worse.

Giving up Too Soon

Insurance companies have a strong motive for settling personal injury claims as fast as possible and for the least amount, which is contrary to your best interest. It's not uncommon for insurance companies to make things as difficult for you as possible, whether it's through delay tactics or even hiring a team of investigators to look into your personal history.

Since you are responsible for gathering all of the evidence connected to your case and doing your own investigation into the accident itself, the time and money investment on your part can become overwhelming, which can make taking a settlement offer quite tempting.

A personal injury attorney will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and will fight to recover fair compensation for your injuries. If you go it alone, you may end up settling for an amount that is lower than your claim is worth.

Posting Information About Your Claim Online

You have probably heard the phrase: anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law, and it's especially true when you are filing a personal injury lawsuit. Always assume the opposing party will search the Internet for anything and everything they can find out about you. It's best to limit your social media use while pursuing a personal injury claim.

Giving Written or Recorded Interviews

Be very careful about who you talk to about your claim, even if it's in a letter to the insurance company or the opposing counsel. Again, always assume the opposing party will use anything you say against you, including written and/or recorded interviews not published online. Speak to an experienced attorney before giving recorded statements or interviews.

Technical Errors

Believe it or not, many victims are denied claims due to technical errors. Completing claims paperwork may seem like a simple task. However, typos, wrong dates, missing information, and even misspelled names may result in an initial rejection.

An experienced personal injury attorney has the knowledge and skill to ensure that your claims paperwork is completed properly the first time around. As part of their legal services, your lawyer will take care of the paperwork.

If you or a loved one has experienced a serious injury, contact the Law Offices of Robert Dodson, P.A. and let our experienced attorneys help.