What Are Common Mistakes People Make After a Personal Injury?
Some common mistakes include not getting medical treatment right away, failing to document the accident, and accepting an early settlement offer from the insurance company without speaking to a lawyer.
Being aware of common personal injury mistakes could help protect your claim. At Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers, we encourage victims to seek legal advice soon after an accident. Doing so could impact the strength of their cases and potential compensation.
If you’re looking to pursue compensation after an accident, make sure you avoid these common personal injury mistakes:
- Not seeking medical attention: Delayed medical treatment could allow an insurance company to dispute the severity of your injury. See a doctor right away to diagnose or rule out any accident-related injuries.
- Admitting fault: Implying that you’re even partially at fault in an accident could affect whether you can pursue compensation. Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence rule prohibits people from receiving personal injury compensation if they’re more than 50% at fault.
- Failure to document injuries: Medical records play a crucial role in documenting your injuries, which is why it’s essential to treat them promptly. You can also take photos to highlight your condition.
- Not preserving evidence: Perhaps you quickly write down a witness’s name on a piece of paper that later ends up in the trash. Every piece of evidence from an accident matters, so make sure you preserve anything you’re able to collect from the scene.
Why It’s Wise To Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer
Avoiding legal advice is among the common personal injury mistakes that claimants make. It’s possible to handle a personal injury claim without legal representation. However, it may benefit you to hire a lawyer who can handle negotiations with insurers.
Speaking to insurance adjusters before consulting an attorney could impact the outcome and amount of your claim. Adjusters may interpret parts of your statement as an admission of fault, giving them the opportunity to lower their offer. Experienced personal injury lawyers routinely communicate with insurance professionals and protect their clients’ interests.
If the insurance company extends a settlement offer to you, seek legal advice. Claimants may miss out on higher payouts because they don’t negotiate. Once you accept an offer, you can’t change the amount, so let a legal professional negotiate on your behalf.
At Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers, we recognize common personal injury mistakes and aim to educate our clients about them. Protect your claim by using the tips mentioned above and contact us to discuss the unique circumstances of your case. Call (484) 351-0350 to schedule a consultation and learn more about our legal services.
