Filing A Personal Injury Claim? Here Are The Mistakes You Need To Avoid
Personal injuries can happen anywhere and to anyone. They can occur from accidents on the road, at the workplace, on someone else’s property, or in public places. If such an injury was caused by a preventable accident, the law permits the victim to seek compensation from the liable person/s. This is either achieved by filing a personal injury claim to the relevant insurance company or through a lawsuit.
In either case, you will be filing a personal injury claim seeking compensation for your pain and suffering. In most cases, compensation is meant to cover any medical bills, wage loss, emotional suffering, disability, and a bunch of other damages.
However, many people make costly mistakes during the process of seeking compensation, perhaps out of negligence. Some of these mistakes may end up delaying compensation by months on end if they don’t lead to denial. The best part is that a sheer majority of them are avoidable. Here is a list of mistakes you should avoid when filing a personal.
1. Failing to Seek Expert Legal Help
A lot of complexities are involved in personal injury claims. Whether you’re approaching the insurer or seeking compensation through the courts, it is paramount to involve an experienced attorney at law. Renowned to Ohio residents and neighboring areas, the personal injury law offices of Amourgis & Associates insist on dealing with a reputed law firm. Apart from charging affordable rates, they will only demand payment after winning the case or getting you a decent settlement offer.
2. Not Keeping Your Medical Records Organized
By now, you probably know the importance of seeking medical attention ASAP if not immediately after getting hurt in an accident. This helps ensure your wellness, especially since some injuries won’t show symptoms on the spot. Unfortunately, some of these injuries that could appear minor at first may lead to disability, sometimes even fatality.
You should also keep a good track of your medical records throughout your treatment and recovery journey. If you file your claim while still undergoing treatment, your medical attendant can help estimate the future treatment costs. Your medical records, bills, reports, and treatment plans will come in handy in determining the damages being sought.
3. Ignoring the Statute Of Limitations
Personal injury claims have filing deadlines, after which they may become invalid. Many states allow a maximum of two years after the accident to the date you file your claim. Unfortunately, some injuries may take years to recover from. This is why it pays to involve your loved ones and legal professionals when you see the need to file a personal injury claim. Do not forget to find out what the statutes of limitations provide in your state or country.
4. Exaggeration of Injuries
After getting hurt in an accident, it is not uncommon to suffer one or more injuries. Some might be more severe than others, whereas others will only manifest after a while. When seeking medical attention, do not make the mistake of exaggerating your injuries. The same case applies to when you are filing the claim. In both instances, the consequences can be dire, and your claim could end up getting denied altogether.
5. Failing to Account For Your Damages
Of course, your personal injury compensation will be determined by the damages suffered. The compensation amount is arrived at depending on various factors, including your medical bills, mental suffering, lost wages, and any out-of-pocket expenses from the accident or resulting from the injury. This means that if you fail to account and prove all your damages, you may not receive the compensation you deserve. This is all the more reason to have an experienced injury lawyer representing your best interests.
6. Expecting Further Compensation after Settlement
When you successfully file a claim, the insurer or plaintiff may present you with a settlement plan; or be compelled by the court to do so. In either case, only what is covered in the agreement is legally binding. To avoid disappointments, it is best to keep keen before signing on the dotted line and never expect additional compensation payments after settlements. Be keep to research and work with experts that will help you seek the right amount considering any future complications from your injuries.
7. Venting about Your injury Online
Never make the mistake of going social regarding your personal injury. In the process, you may end up making utterances that could be used to minimize or deny your claim. After getting hurt in a personal injury accident, be sure to stay keen on the posts you make online, including comments, photos, videos, and reactions.
Finally, avoid negotiating with insurers without the company of your lawyer. Some statements could be used against you! Insurance and plaintiff lawyers will always snoop around your online activity to find the slightest bit of evidence that could weaken your injury claim or lawsuit. With the above few tips, you will hopefully dodge the common pitfalls many people drown in when filing a personal injury claim.
