If you’ve been injured in an accident in Wichita Falls or Dallas, or anywhere else for that matter, you should focus on healing and securing adequate compensation for damages. Being unfamiliar with the process of navigating a personal injury claim, many people unknowingly make mistakes that damage their claims and affect their right to recovery.
Below are some common pitfalls many people fall into after they’ve been involved in an accident that hurt their chances at recovering compensation. If you can avoid these pitfalls, it can make a significant difference in the outcome of your claim.
1. Waiting Too Long to Seek Medical Attention
A large factor in calculating compensation is your injuries. So, it’s no surprise that one of the biggest mistakes people make after an accident is delaying their medical treatment, even when the injury appears to be minor. It’s not only important for your health but it’s important for your claim to get checked out quickly and to follow the doctor’s orders. If you fail to do this, the insurance companies may argue that your injuries weren’t that serious or that the accident wasn’t the cause of the injuries in their effort to avoid paying you a settlement or offering you a low settlement.
2. Giving Recorded Statements to Insurance Adjusters
After your accident, an insurance adjuster will likely contact you asking for a recorded statement. Often times, they come off as friendly and caring, and it seems like they really are concerned about your injuries. While this may be the case, they also have a job to do, and that job is to avoid paying claims or at least to pay as little as possible. Anything you say to them can be used against you.
We recommend that you never give a recorded statement or sign anything without first speaking to an experienced personal injury lawyer.
3. Posting on Social Media
In today’s world, everyone lives on the internet and it’s a regular practice for a lot of people to constantly post on social media. However, if you’ve been involved in an accident, anything you post could be used against you to undermine your claim.
For example, a photo of you at some event can be used to show that you’re not really as injured as you claim to be. Even if it is incorrect, it can be taken out of context to show you in a bad light. We recommend that you refrain from posting on social media while your case is pending.
4. Failing to Keep Accurate Records
As with all legal cases, documentation is key. Documentation means things like medical records, receipts for out-of-pocket expenses, correspondence with insurers, accident reports, witness contact information, and photos or videos of injuries or damage. The more evidence you can present, the stronger your personal injury claim.
6. Accepting a Quick Settlement
Insurance companies, in an effort to pay as little as possible, often offer very quick but low settlements right after the accident. Of course, it’s tempting to accept that fast and easy money, but these early settlements likely are not adequate and are significantly undervaluing what your claim is really worth.
We recommend that you hold off on accepting any settlement until you are completely done treating for your injuries. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you evaluate the value of your claim.
7. Handling the Case Without Legal Help
While some cases can certainly be handled on your own, some cases can be complex and others can have stubborn insurance companies refusing to pay. When this is the case, trying to handle the case on your own can put you at a severe disadvantage. Having a skilled and experienced personal injury lawyer on your side can help level the playing field.
Contact a Wichita Falls and Dallas Car Accident Lawyer
If a loved one has been killed in a car accident in Wichita Falls or Dallas, contact our car accident and wrongful death lawyer either by calling one of the numbers listed below or filling out our contact form. For Wichita Falls claims, contact us at 940-569-4000. For Dallas claims, contact us 945-295-0014. We will give you a free evaluation of your case and offer you helpful information on how to proceed.