Have you recently suffered an accident that resulted in a personal injury? Are you unsure of the actions that you ought to take to protect your rights and ensure adequate compensation?
Mistakes at this difficult time have a lasting effect on many individuals involved in these matters. Understanding what not to do can help you avoid those pitfalls, giving you a much better chance to gain the compensation that you are owed.
Failing to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
After an accident, your health should always come first. In Reno, seeking immediate medical care is crucial, even if you feel fine at first. Many injuries or internal damage, may not be visible right away.
Delaying treatment can make your condition worse and complicate your case. Reno’s medical facilities, including urgent care and hospitals, provide prompt care and ensure that your injuries are properly documented. This documentation helps personal injury lawyer Reno link your injuries directly to the accident. Hence, it makes it easier to pursue any legal claims.
Not Documenting the Accident Scene
One of the key things you can do after an accident is document everything. From a car accident to slipping down the stairs or on the work floor, gathering evidence is important. Without taking any photos of the accident scene, damage, or injuries you sustained, it might be pretty difficult to prove your case later.
If it is possible to do so, take a picture of the accident scene, vehicles involved, or dangerous conditions that resulted in the injury. Get the contact information of any witnesses.
Posting on Social Media
Today, in this digital world, people tend to post details about their lives on social media. Posting your accident or your recovery can, however, be counterproductive for you in your personal injury case. Insurance companies and personal injury lawyers in Reno will likely use your social media updates as evidence to argue that you are not as injured as you claim.
Even seemingly innocent posts or photos can be turned against you to discredit your case. It is advisable to avoid posting anything regarding the accident or injuries until your case is over.
Talking to Insurance Adjusters Without Legal Advice
Insurance companies will contact you shortly after an accident. They may offer a quick settlement or ask for a recorded statement. They might sound as though they are trying to help, but the reality is that they are trying to make their payment as low as possible. Many people are making the mistake of talking to insurance adjusters before consulting with an attorney.
Your words can be twisted and used against you, reducing your settlement offer. It is always sensible to find the Best Personal Injury Lawyer Reno before even discussing the issue with an insurance company so that your rights are not infringed.
Settlement Too Quickly
You could feel the urge to settle your claim after an accident. Especially when the insurance company gives you an option of getting a payout quickly.
Often, the first offer you receive is far below what you are entitled to. Injuries can get worse over time, and you may discover that the settlement you accepted won’t even pay for medical treatment after some time, lost wages, or pain and suffering. Make sure you know the scope of your injuries and make sure you obtain an attorney before accepting any settlement.
Lack of Record of Medical Treatment and Expenses
If an individual gets injured during a personal injury accident, he or she will have to maintain records on his treatment and expenses incurred due to injuries. In many cases, the lack of doctor visit records, prescriptions, and out-of-pocket costs leads to confusion while proving that one got the full impact of an injury and, consequently, incurred full damages.
Record all receipts, bills, and any relevant documentation showing treatment. Such is how you will obtain reimbursement in full amount.
Failure to Report the Injury to the Responsible Party
Some individuals never report their injuries to the responsible parties. The responsible party could be the employer, the business owner, or a property manager. Any injury on a work environment or property should be reported immediately after it occurs. This would give an impression that the injury was not as bad as you are saying it is. You can get an official record of the event by reporting the injury.
Failure to Obey Medical Directions
You will want to miss appointments, avoid some treatment, and even forgo your doctor’s recommendations just to get back on your feet quickly. On the other hand, failing to observe your doctor’s advice may affect your healing negatively and your case.
An insurance company may argue that you failed to take the proper care for healing, which in turn may reduce the compensation to be received. Therefore, you must follow your doctor’s advice for both the health of your body and your case.
Waiting Too Long to File a Claim
The statute of limitation places a time frame on waiting and taking a lawsuit regarding personal injury claims. In some cases, waiting too long makes it impossible to file for your lawsuit. If injured, it is essential to see a Reno Personal Injury Attorney and start the whole process to file for compensation as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the harder it may be to gather evidence, and the weaker your case may become.
Not Hiring an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
One of the biggest mistakes people make after an accident is failing to hire an experienced personal injury attorney. You may feel you can handle the case or even deal directly with the insurance company, but remember that personal injury cases are complicated.
It involves so much knowledge of the legal process, understanding how to negotiate with insurance companies, and resources in gathering evidence for support of the case. The best shot you have at making sure you get all the compensation is when you hire the best attorney who is capable enough.
Conclusion
Surviving a personal injury accident may be hectic but what follows: it means avoiding common pitfalls can have chances to win much bigger. Right from getting treated at a hospital to employing the most suitable attorney, all that counts in your step-by-step work towards winning or losing in the case.
The only thing protecting rights as well as garnering needed compensation requires caution as well as professional know-how. By staying informed and avoiding these mistakes, you’ll be in a much better position to move forward after an injury.
FAQs
1. How long do I have to file a personal injury claim?
The time limit to file a personal injury claim depends on the state’s statute of limitations. Generally, you have between one to three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. It’s crucial to consult an attorney to ensure you meet the deadlines.
2. Can I still file a claim if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Yes, you can still file a claim even if you were partially responsible for the accident. Many states follow a comparative negligence rule, where you can recover damages proportionate to the other party’s fault, but your compensation may be reduced based on your percentage of fault.
3. Will I have to go to court for my personal injury case?
Not necessarily. Most personal injury cases are settled outside of court through negotiations with the insurance company. However, if a fair settlement is not reached, your attorney may recommend pursuing the case in court.
