If you’ve
suffered a severe injury due to the negligence or malpractice of another person,
you already know how stressful the consequences can be. The injury may lead to huge
medical bills and loss of wages. In such situations, you may decide to file a
personal injury claim as your next step. While filing a claim, it’s important
to guard against errors that could get it rejected.
Here are 5
common mistakes you need to avoid to increase the chances of a positive outcome
in your personal injury claim:
1.
Not calling the law enforcement
officer/police:
After an accident or injury, a clear and detailed police report is important.
In fact, when you file a personal injury claim, official paperwork and evidence
to prove that the event actually occurred are of paramount importance. Not
calling the police may end up weakening your case.
2.
Not filing the claim on time: Every state has a particular
deadline for filing a personal injury claim. This time period may seem quite
lengthy; however, with the doctor’s visits, treatment and recovery, and investigations
related to the accident, it may pass quite quickly. It’s important to keep
track of the deadline because if you do not file the claim on time, it may get
dismissed immediately.
3.
Providing statements to insurers without
consulting an attorney: People are often under the impression that insurance companies are on
their side. Truth is that insurance companies are in the business to make a profit.
This, in turn, gives them a financial motive for denying or undervaluing
claims. Thus, it’s always better to speak to an experienced personal injury
attorney before making any statement to the insurance company.
4.
Not maintaining medical records: Even if you think your injuries are
minor, it’s vital to seek medical attention without wasting time. Many conditions
such as head, neck, or back injury may lead to delayed symptoms. It’s advisable
to carefully maintain your medical records while simultaneously keeping track
of the amount of wages lost as a result of the injuries.
5.
Not hiring an attorney: While you may be convinced that you don’t need the assistance of
an attorney, the fact remains that it is only a legal representative that can help
you recover proper compensation for your injury. In the absence of an attorney,
insurance companies may take advantage of your unfamiliarity with the law and succeed
in paying you a meager amount as compensation. In fact, understanding your
rights and speaking to an attorney ahead of time will help you to move forward
in the right direction.
If you are
based in Lafayette, personal injurylawyers in Lafayette, LA can assist you in pursuing your claim. You can
always reach out to experienced lawyers for a free initial consultation prior
to filing your claim.
Comments
Post a Comment