Personal injury accidents are unexpected, as no one anticipates being injured or disabled for an extended period. Many personal injury victims have never experienced a severe accident before and could make common mistakes that prevent them from receiving a settlement. Speaking to an attorney can help you avoid those errors and prevent you from receiving less compensation than you are owed. According to Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff LLP, some of the most common errors made by personal injury victims include the following:
They Don’t Get Immediate Medical Treatment
Once a personal injury victim has been injured, they must get medical treatment. It is not just for their health but also because medical bills can be included in the settlement amount. When you get injured, you should see a doctor so that they can treat and document your injuries. Delaying treatment can exacerbate your injuries. The other party might claim that your injuries were caused by some other incident because you took too long to receive medical treatment.
They Don’t Collect Evidence
Your attorney relies on evidence to prove how the other party injured you. Collecting evidence is crucial to making a strong claim that someone else was negligent. You should take pictures of the accident location, your injuries, and any other factors involved. For example, if you were in a car accident, you would take pictures of the damage done to your car. Another example is a slip and fall accident where it would be a good idea to take pictures of the place you fell and the hazards therein.
They Negotiate Without A Lawyer
It is a bad idea to speak to the other party without your attorney’s involvement. Let your attorney handle all of the conversations and negotiations on your behalf. They are skilled professionals who can help you circumvent common errors. For example, the other party’s insurer may request a recorded statement. Although this seems innocent, this recording can be later used against you to reduce how much you receive in your settlement. The other party may also offer a smaller settlement sum than you deserve. A personal injury victim may accept a low settlement amount, not realizing that their damages far exceed this lump sum. For example, insurance companies don’t typically include non-economic damages despite the fact that they make up a majority of the settlement compensation.
When Should I Speak To A Personal Injury Attorney?
Soon after you’ve been injured, it is in your best interest to talk to an attorney. This is because they can immediately begin building your personal injury case. They’ll remind you to see a doctor and avoid making a verbal agreement with the other party. Once you get the basic steps completed and provide initial information to your attorney, they can investigate your claim and let you know if you can hold the other party liable and how much you should receive in your settlement.
