Filing a personal injury claim is usually a cumbersome and lengthy process, which many people find unbearable, especially at a time when they are undergoing rehabilitation from an accident. Whether you have been involved in a car accident, you have suffered a work-related injury, or you were a patient of some form of medical malpractice, common mistakes that one makes in the claims process will hurt your chances of getting any kind of fair compensation that you would require. If you incur an injury in Philadelphia, it is wise to opt for a Personal Injury Lawyer in Philadelphia to minimize the errors that can embalmed your case. This blog has proved very helpful in outlining some common mistakes when filing a personal injury claim. Some of the common mistakes when filing a personal injury claim include the following:
1. Failure to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
One of the major mistakes victims commit after an accident is failure to see a medic in time. Even if the injuries seem minor at first, a must is to see a doctor as soon as possible. Certain injuries can be held internally and may only present symptoms after some time. These include concussions or internal damage that later leads to long-term consequences. Delays in medical attention will also dilute your case since an insurance company may contend that the injuries were not that serious or weren’t even caused by the accident.
Your medical records would be a crucial piece of evidence for your case; they would detail the extent of injury and link that to your accident. If a delay occurs between the accident and when you receive medical attention, then that would establish a question about the legitimacy of your injuries.
What to Do
Always care for your health, and report to the doctor immediately at the accident scene. Also, ensure you follow up on all prescribed treatments and keep all records of your medical visits and expenses as detailed as possible. This will not only care for your health but also create a strong case for your personal injury.
2. Lack of Documentation of the Accident Scene
In addition to these, collecting inadequate evidence from the accident site is another mistake people are prone to committing. The core of every personal injury case is based on evidence. This determines whether liability can be proven or not. It would become much tougher without evidence when involving more than one party or in instances where the person to be blamed is disputed.
Snap pictures or video recordings, if possible, of the damage to the vehicle, of visible injuries, road conditions, and other contributing factors such as the street signs or weather conditions. Get contact information from the witnesses as well as other individuals involved in the accident.
What to Do
Immediately after the accident, write down everything you remember. If it is impossible, because of your trauma, ask a friend or family member or someone passing by to do the same. If your accident occurred in Philadelphia, collaborate with an attorney for personal injury in Philadelphia in gathering evidence and finding other forms of evidence, such as videos from security cameras or police reports.
3. Providing Statements to Insurance Companies Without Representation
One of the biggest mistakes injury victims make is calling an insurance company prior to consulting an attorney. While usually nice and seemingly sympathetic, their motive for protecting your company’s money puts you at risk as they will want to reduce payouts; thus, everything you say to the insurance company can be used against you to lower the value of your claim. Often, adjusters will try to get you to give a recorded statement or to accept a settlement very early in the process, which probably will be significantly less than what your case is worth.
What To Do
Before approaching an insurance company, seek the assistance of a Personal Injury Lawyer Philadelphia, who can direct you on how to approach it. An attorney will negotiate with your insurance adjusters so that you do not unknowingly harm your case by giving damaging statements or accepting an unfair offer.
4. Accept an Early Settlement Offer
Even if you have been involved in an accident and have medical bills or lost wages, you will probably be tempted to accept the first settlement check you receive. Never do this. The first settlement offer from any insurance company is likely to come in much lower than what you deserve. Settling too quickly will likely pay you less than you are owed for future medical treatments, loss of wages, and for pain and suffering.
Although settling an injury case can reduce the overall burden of managing an injury claim, it actually has a string of consequences that cannot be modified even if you think your condition is worsening with time, or additional costs come in down the road.
Do This
Always get a Personal Injury Lawyer in Philadelphia before you accept any settlement offer. A professional lawyer can evaluate whether the offer covers all your current and future expenses related to the injury. They will also have the expertise to negotiate a more appropriate settlement that takes into account the full extent of your damages.
5. Missing Important Deadlines
With a personal injury claim, there are strict time limits, termed the statute of limitations, and these vary by state and even type of injuries. For instance, with most common claims in Pennsylvania, you are entitled to bring a lawsuit within two years of the date of the accident. And if you miss that window, then you may forfeit all rights to bring a case for damages completely.
This even means that if your submissions such as medical bills or insurance forms are not reached within the deadlines to submit them, the claim can be delayed or even rejected.
What to Do
But to avoid missing all important deadlines, then consider hiring the services of a Personal Injury Lawyer in Philadelphia immediately after your accident. The personal injury lawyer will make sure that the required documents are filed on time and keep your case on track so that these procedural errors that might ruin your claim don’t happen.
6. Undervaluing Your Claim
Most injury victims underestimate their claims. Personal injury claims are much more than just the upfront costs of medical attention. Losses include lost wages, future medical treatments and rehabilitation, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and any disability that may last a long time after the accident. You may accept a sum of money that even does not cover your damages if you have no idea of the extent of your damages.
What to Do
An expert will consult with a Personal Injury Lawyer in Philadelphia who knows how to determine the total worth of your claim. Your lawyer will consider your past, present, and future medical expenses, loss of income, and even non-economic damages such as emotional distress in order to provide you with fair compensation.
7. Posting About Your Accident on Social Media
Now, people often share big deals such as accidents on social media. But, posting about your accident or injury on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter will most likely, damage your case. Insurance companies and defense attorneys often monitor social media accounts of a case for evidence that can discredit their opponent’s claims.
For example, posting about your injury, and then posting pictures of you being active could be used to counter your claim that you are all the more seriously injured. Harmless posts, such as vacation pictures or statements declaring your recovery, can be used to attack your case.
What to Do
Avoid making any public posts on your social media accounts regarding your accident, injury, or recovery until your case has been decided. Discuss managing your online presence with your Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer.
8. Failing to hire an experienced Personal Injury Lawyer
Perhaps the most tragic mistake in filing a personal injury claim is the lack of a competent attorney. Injury law is a specialized field that requires knowledge, and navigating the process by yourself will certainly result in costly mistakes. You simply can’t gain an edge when negotiating with insurance companies, gathering the evidence you need, or setting the value of your claim in motion without an attorney.
What to Do
Hiring a competent Personal Injury Lawyer Philadelphia will prove the success of your case. A lawyer will handle all the legal work of your claim-from gathering evidence to negotiations with companies-so you can focus on recovery. You have all the chances of receiving fair compensation for all injuries and losses sustained with the help of an experienced attorney.
Trust the Best Law Firm in Philadelphia with Your Personal Injury Case
A personal injury claim can be very difficult to navigate. The good news is that having the right attorneys representing your case is quite often what will make the difference between you losing your case and you winning it. At Alva Foster & Moscow, LLC, their attorneys are leading lawyers who have been working in Philadelphia for decades to fight for accident victims’ rights. Their lawyers have the knowledge in personal injury law that is required for their clients to obtain compensation for their medical expense, lost wages, and agony and suffering. Seek a legal representation that places their best interest above professional assistance by approaching Alva Foster & Moscow, LLC.
Conclusion
Filing a personal injury claim is one of those things that takes a lot of time and has a lot of pitfalls due to how complicated it is. The common mistakes that people tend to make involve delays in seeking medical treatment, speaking with insurance companies without the advisement of counsel, and not valuing your claim. When you avoid these mistakes, the probability of getting compensation is dramatically increased. A Personal Injury Lawyer Philadelphia can provide professional insight and expertise to work your way through the twists and turns of the law on your behalf so your rights are protected and your claim is handled with the care it deserves.
