If you’ve been injured in an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence or willful actions, you have grounds to seek restitution. You can also ask for forensic animation to confirm whose fault lead to the accident. You also deserve compensation for things like lost wages, mental trauma, pain and suffering, and more.
However, there are personal injury claim mistakes that can completely derail your case. Then, instead of getting compensated for the accident, you’ll end up paying for everything yourself.
We don’t want to see that happen to you. Keep reading for the four common personal injury claim mistakes and how to avoid them.
1. Waiting Too Long to Talk to an Attorney
After you’re injured, it’s important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. The longer you wait to talk to an attorney, the harder it will be to gather the necessary evidence to solidify your case.
In some cases, waiting too long will surpass the statute of limitations, which makes filing personal injury claims impossible. The maximum amount of time you can delay is anywhere from one year to six years, depending on where you live and the circumstances of your case.
2. Not Finding the Best Personal Injury Lawyer
One of the most common personal injury claim mistakes is hiring the wrong attorney to represent your case. You need to vet your options for personal injury lawyers carefully.
Make sure they’re experienced and knowledgeable regarding the details of your case. For example, if you were involved in a plane or helicopter accident, you would need an aviation accident attorney.
Additionally, look for client reviews and testimonials that will provide insight into how the lawyer operates. Then, look at the attorney’s case results to see how their other cases are resolved.
3. Talking About Your Case on Social Media
Talking to other people about the details of your case is one of the worst personal injury claim mistakes you could make. This is especially true if you’re posting about your case on social media.
Anything you publish on your social media accounts can be used to discredit your claims. For that matter, comments left by others can also hurt your case.
For example, if someone leaves a comment saying “you’re looking much better today,” it could discredit your claims of pain, suffering, and mental trauma. Your best bet is to keep everything regarding the case off of social media. It is not the place to vent about your injuries, disparage the responsible party, or talk about the details of your claim.
4. Not Getting Checked Out By a Medical Specialist
Next on our personal injury claim checklist, be sure to get an official evaluation of your injuries. Not only is this necessary for recovering from injuries, but you’ll also need a doctor’s documentation and testimony to back your claims.
Not getting medical documentation or specialist testimonies will make it hard for you to get the compensation you seek. Your case won’t carry any credibility, which will make it easy for the liable party to refute your claims.
Want to Avoid Making Personal Injury Claim Mistakes?
As you can see, there’s a lot that can go wrong when filing personal injury claims. We recommend seeking legal guidance immediately. An attorney can walk you through each step of the process and ensure you’re not making any of the personal injury claim mistakes listed above.
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