Filing a personal injury claim can be stressful. Often, people get confused and tend to make various mistakes. Strict rules should be met to ensure you don’t get a raw deal. Well, below are five mistakes most people make when filing a personal injury claim with the help of a Des Moines personal injury lawyer and how to avoid them:
1. Not Getting Medical Help Right Away
The most common mistake individuals make is failing to seek early treatment after an accident. You may think you are fine initially, but some of these injuries take time before they start presenting symptoms. Taking too long to consult a doctor will only worsen the condition of your injuries. It also contributes to a situation where it becomes difficult to establish that the accident led to your injuries.
If you fail to seek medical attention immediately, insurers may follow up by claiming that your injuries are not caused by the accident. To prevent this, kindly report to a doctor as soon as possible. You need to understand that your health comes first.
2. Giving a Recorded Statement Without a Lawyer
The insurance companies are not people’s friends. It is not unusual for them to request that you give a recorded statement following an accident. They might say it is only to get to know what happened, but in actuality, they may be aspiring to cut down their expenses.
Usually, the lawyer takes charge of the communication between you and the other parties in the case. It helps in preventing you from saying something that might be damaging to your case. Insurance companies know how to ask tricky questions. One should consult a personal injury attorney. Talk to him in detail before giving a statement. Your attorney will ensure that your rights are preserved. They will make sure that you do not incriminate yourself.
3. Not Collecting Enough Evidence
Remember, whenever a person is injured, they should ensure that they accumulate sufficient evidence. It will help to advance their personal injury claim. Such evidence may include photographs that were taken originally at the scene of the accident. It can also be statements given by witnesses to the accident. It can even be medical reports of the parties involved in the accident. Some individuals believe that their word is sufficient, but it is not.
People may forget such incidents, and they may not be able to provide any evidence of what occurred. Photograph any injury sustained, obtain the contact information of any witness, and retain all records of any medical treatment sought as well as expenditures for such treatment.
The more backing up information one has, the stronger his/her stand will be.
4. Accepting a Settlement Too Quickly
After an accident, the insurance company might offer you money quickly. It can be tempting to take it. But this can be a mistake. The first offer is often too low.
Talk to a lawyer before you accept any money. They can check if the amount is fair. If you take the money too soon, you might miss out on what you deserve.
5. Waiting For Unnecessary Time
You have a very limited time before you file a personal injury claim. It is called the statute of limitations. Don’t wait too long. You might lose your chance to get money.
See a lawyer as soon as possible to avoid missing the deadline. They will help you file on time and collect the right evidence.
Conclusion
Filing a personal injury claim can be hard. Avoid these five mistakes to protect your rights. Get medical help right away. Talk to a lawyer before giving statements or accepting money. Gather evidence. Don’t wait too long to file. Otherwise, you can lose your claim.
