Dealing with a personal injury might seem simple at first. However, the process of filing a personal injury claim and winning depends very much on a few factors. Sadly, this is where many personal injury victims make mistakes and end up losing their claim or receiving a far lesser compensation sum than they should have.
Personal injury attorneys have the necessary skills and legal knowledge to help victims receive the compensation they truly deserve. It’s not just about physical wounds. You can be compensated for emotional injuries as well. Contact a personal injury lawyer to learn more. Here are three common mistakes made by personal injury victims to keep in mind and avoid.
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Not Collecting Evidence
If you are involved in a car accident or a slip-and-fall accident, you should start collecting evidence once the authorities have been notified and are on their way to the accident scene. This involves taking pictures of the accident scene and your injuries and writing down the other party’s contact information and eyewitnesses if they are present. You can also record the incident and look for other things that might help your case.
In a car accident, you should take pictures of both vehicles involved and the damages. In a slip and fall accident, you should take pictures of the road and try to evidentiate any hazards present or a lack of warning signs.
Accepting a Settlement Without Legal Aid
Many underestimate the true cost of their injuries and how they will impact their lives later on. They want to deal with the accident fast and get on with their life. Because of this, some personal injury victims make a deal with the at-fault party or insurance company for a sum of money.
That sum of money will always be less than what you deserve, which is another big mistake. Some victims choose to do this because they also believe it takes too long to reach a settlement.
However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. A personal injury lawyer will gather the necessary evidence, including police reports, talk to expert eyewitnesses, and negotiate on your behalf.
Having a lawyer by your side will intimidate the at-fault party because they know you mean business. Once they see how strong your case is built and based on the negotiation skills of your lawyer, they will accept a settlement that is in your favor rather than go to court. In fact, the majority of personal injury claims settle outside of court, which is a testament to how efficient lawyers can be.
Furthermore, if you negotiate without a lawyer by your side, you might not receive compensation for all the economic and non-economic damages you are entitled to.
Sharing Your Accident Story on Social Media
Another common mistake made by personal injury victims is when they share their accident story, pictures, or recording on social media. Many choose to do this because they might feel that receiving enough attention will help their case get resolved faster.
However, this is far from what usually happens. If you share the details of your accident on social media, you should be aware that this is the first place where insurance companies investigate claims.
Once they see your story, they might cast doubt on the gravity of your injuries or your character. You should speak about your accident only with your lawyer and family. Avoid using social media as a means to an end because it will do you more harm than good.
