If you’ve been injured in an accident, you may be entitled to compensation. However, there are certain mistakes that can wreck your personal injury claim. Here are a few of them:
- Not Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is not hiring a qualified personal injury attorney. An experienced lawyer will know how to navigate the legal system and get you the best possible outcome. Without an attorney, you could end up with much less money than you deserve.
- Accepting the First Settlement Offer
Insurance companies are in the business of making money, not paying out claims. They will often try to lowball victims with an initial settlement offer that is far below what the case is actually worth. Don’t accept the first offer – wait until you’ve spoken to an attorney and know what your case is actually worth.
- Not Getting Medical Treatment
If you’ve been injured, it’s important to get medical treatment right away. Not only will this help you recover physically, but it will also create a record of your injuries. This will be important evidence if you end up filing a personal injury lawsuit.
- Giving a Recorded Statement to the Insurance Company
The insurance company will often try to get victims to give a recorded statement about the accident. They will use this statement against you later on, so it’s best to avoid giving one altogether. Let your attorney deal with the insurance company.
- Not Gathering Enough Evidence
If you want to win your personal injury case, you need to have strong evidence. This includes things like photos of the accident scene, witness statements, and medical records. The more evidence you have, the better your chances of winning.
- Failing to Meet Deadlines
There are strict deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits. If you miss one of these deadlines, you could lose your right to file a claim altogether. Make sure you know all the deadlines and adhere to them.
- Posting about Your Case on Social Media
If you’re actively posting about your personal injury case on social media, you could be doing serious damage to your chances of winning. Insurance companies will often scour social media for evidence that can be used against victims. Avoid posting anything about your case online.
- Not Following Your Doctor’s Orders
If you’ve been injured, it’s important to follow your doctor’s orders. This includes things like going to all your scheduled appointments and taking prescribed medication. If you don’t follow your doctor’s orders, it could hurt your case.
- Returning to Work Too Soon
If you try to return to work too soon after an injury, it could make your injuries worse. It could also make it harder to collect workers’ compensation or other benefits. Make sure you’re fully healed before returning to work.
- Failing to Keep Good Records
Keeping good records is essential for any personal injury case. This includes things like medical records, bills, receipts, and witness contact information. If you don’t have good records, it could hurt your chances of winning.
- Not Keeping a Diary
In addition to keeping good records, it’s also important to keep a diary of your injuries and how they’ve affected your life. This can be helpful evidence in court. Make sure to date all entries and include as many details as possible.
- Accepting a Quick Settlement
Some insurance companies will try to settle cases quickly and for far less than they’re worth. Don’t accept a quick settlement – wait until you’ve spoken to an attorney and know what your case is actually worth.
- Failing to Hire an Attorney
Many personal injury cases can be complex and difficult to win without an attorney. If you don’t have an attorney, you could end up with much less money than you deserve. Make sure to hire the best personal injury lawyer in Houston who can help you navigate the legal system and get you the best possible outcome.
- Not Knowing the Value of Your Case
Before accepting any settlement offer, it’s important to know how much your case is actually worth. Insurance companies will often lowball victims in an attempt to save money. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you determine the true value of your case.
- Trying to Navigate the Legal System Alone
The legal system can be complex and confusing. If you try to navigate it alone, you could make serious mistakes that could hurt your case. It’s best to let an experienced personal injury lawyer handle your case from start to finish.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, make sure to avoid these mistakes. If you have any questions, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer today.
