5 Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Car Accident Lawsuit Settlement
Car accidents are as terrible as they are unpredictable. No one is prepared to deal with the harsh consequences that can occur after an accident. With worries about chronic injuries, missed time at work, costly car repairs, and emotional trauma, the experience of being in a car accident can be overwhelming.
On top of it, you have to deal with insurance companies to work out a car accident lawsuit settlement. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for people who have been in a car accident to suffer additional damage by not recovering the full amount by making mistakes during the car accident settlement process.
So, it is important to know about mistakes that can affect your lawsuit and prevent you from getting full compensation. Read on to find out!
1: Failing To Seek Medical Attention Right after The Accident
Many car accident victims fail to seek medical treatment, believing that they only have minor injuries. Regardless of whether you have a severe injury or not, it is advised to visit a doctor immediately after the crash for an evaluation.
The reason is, some injuries don’t manifest at the accident scene but show up the next day or even weeks or months later. Though broken bones, bruises, cuts are easier to spot, many soft tissue injuries like whiplash and concussions are detected by the doctor only.
Further, if you fail to get medical treatment after the accident, the liable party’s insurance company might argue that your injuries were not significant. Getting prompt treatment will help you to present documentation in support of the claim.
2: Giving Too Much Information To The Opposite Party’s Insurance Company
The other driver’s insurance adjuster may call you to get your statement about how the accident occurred and what injuries you suffered. However, remember that the insurer isn’t a neutral party and is in the business of saving money.
Insurance companies may attempt to make you admit that you were more at fault and, if they succeed, the driver at fault could owe you nothing! So, it is advised to avoid discussing the details or talking about who was at fault. Instead, just give them the basics of the accident.
3: Refusing To Hire an Experienced Attorney
Though some minor accidents can be handled without an attorney, serious crashes involving serious physical injuries or substantial property damage most often necessitate hiring the services of an experienced car accident settlement lawyer. They have skills and knowledge that can help you to get the car accident settlement you deserve. They collect evidence, interview the witnesses, spot potential problems, and anticipate the defenses early on in the claim process.
4: Settling Too Early On the Case
A car accident lawsuit can be an arduous process. As a victim, you might want to agree on a quick auto accident settlement to wrap the things as soon as possible. However, there is something you need to remember.
The first offer from an insurance company is likely to be a low ball settlement hoping that you’ll accept and refrain from negotiating. Maybe you end up getting paid for a minor injury that turns out to be a chronic ailment for a lifetime. Such a situation makes it necessary to let an experienced auto accident settlement attorney handle your case and get the compensation you deserve.
5: Posting About Your Case on Social Media
This is a very common mistake that can seriously affect your case. Posting pictures and discussing the facts and circumstances of your case on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or other social media platforms creates a record of your version of events. If your accident lawsuit later differs from that initial account, you could be in trouble and having to explain why the accounts differ. Also, posting in the heat of the moment right after an accident has occurred is not a good idea. Instead, wait for the emotions to calm down and make sure you are thinking clearly and accurately before you represent what your version of events of the accident is.
Even if you have social media privacy settings on lockdown, people can still discover your activities and status online. So, it is better not to post anything on social media until everything related to the lawsuit is wrapped up.
Conclusion
These are some of the common mistakes you should avoid after a car accident. Don’t delay to call an experienced personal injury attorney if you suspect that the accident requires legal help. If you have been seriously injured, know that it is within your legal rights to seek adequate compensation.
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