If you’ve been injured in an accident, you may be wondering what steps you can take to help your case and insure maximum compensation for your injuries and property damage. On the other hand, there are some things you should know that could jeopardize your personal injury claim. Here are seven things to keep in mind:
1. Failing to See a Doctor
One of the most important things you can do after an accident is to see a doctor. Even if you don’t think your injuries are serious, it’s important to have them evaluated by a medical professional. Not only will this provide you with the treatment you need, but it will also create a record of your injuries. This will be important if you decide to file a personal injury claim later on. Additionally, injuries like whiplash take hours to fully develop. You might feel in shock immediately after the accident and not realize the full extent of your injuries until later the same day or a few days after the accident.
2. Failing to Gather Evidence
If you want to win your personal injury claim, you’ll need to have evidence to back up your claims. This might include photos of the accident scene, medical records, a police report and witness statements. The more evidence you have, the better your chances of success will be. Always try to take photos at the scene, when safe and ask for names and phone numbers of any witnesses. Also if you have bruises or injuries, taking photos can help when its time to settle your case or go to trial.
3. Missing the Deadline
In most states, you only have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury claim. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations. If you miss this deadline, you’ll likely be barred from filing a claim altogether. So, it’s important to be aware of the deadlines in your state and to act accordingly. In Texas, the statute of limitations is 2 years after the date of the accident. However, you should contact and attorney and file a claim as soon as possible after the accident occurs to make sure all steps are taken to get maximum compensation for your injuries.
4. Accepting a Quick Settlement
After an accident, the insurance company may try to lowball you with a quick settlement offer. They may tell you that it’s the best you’re going to get and that you should take it. However, you should never accept a settlement offer without first consulting with an attorney. The insurance company is likely trying to take advantage of you, and you could end up getting far less than you deserve. They will pretend to be your friend and have your best intentions at heart, but their job is literally to do the opposite and pay you as little as possible and move on to the next person.
5. Filing a Frivolous Claim
If you file a personal injury claim that has no merit, it will likely be dismissed by the court. Not only that, but filing a frivolous claim can also damage your reputation and make it harder to win future claims. So, it’s important to make sure that your claim has merit before moving forward.
6. Lying About Your Injuries
If the insurance company finds out that you’ve lied about your injuries, they may refuse to pay out your claim. Lying is also a form of fraud, which is a crime. So, it’s important to be truthful about your injuries when filing a personal injury claim.
7. Failing to Follow Your Doctor’s Orders
If you’ve been injured in an accident, it’s important to follow your doctor’s orders. This includes things like going to all of your appointments and taking your medication as prescribed. If you don’t follow your doctor’s orders, it could jeopardize your personal injury claim. The insurance company may argue that you’re not really injured or that your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, it’s important to be aware of the things that could jeopardize your personal injury claim. By keeping these seven things in mind, you’ll be in a better position to win your case and get the compensation you deserve. Contact Adam Miller, The Texas Bulldog, now for a free, no-obligation case review by calling 713-572-3333. He will answer any questions you may have about your case and let you know every step you need to take.
