Posted on Thursday, June 18th, 2020 at 11:55 pm
The steps that you take after your injury can hurt your chance of success in a personal injury case. Without an attorney to guide you through the process of filing a claim and negotiating a settlement, it can be easy to wander into various pitfalls that might cause you to lose a personal injury case
Being injured through no fault of your own is frustrating. It can also be painful and emotionally stressful. In many cases, an unexpected injury can cause financial hardships. The injury may occur because of an auto accident, fall, pedestrian accident, or other accidental injury. When someone is responsible for your injury, you may be entitled to compensation for a personal injury claim.
Pitfalls That Cause Many People to Lose Their Personal Injury Case
Five pitfalls to avoid after an accident or injury that could result in receiving no compensation or less compensation for your injuries and damages are:
1. Delays in Medical Care
Delays in medical care are a huge pitfall for a personal injury case. The insurance company for the other party may argue that the delay in medical care is proof that you were not injured in the accident. If that argument does not work, the insurance company may argue that if your injuries were as severe as you claim, you would have sought medical treatment sooner.
2. Talking to An Insurance Company Before an Attorney
Insurance companies have one goal – limit their liability for injury claims. Companies train claims adjusters to search for ways to reduce the amount the insurance company must pay to settle an injury claim. Requiring a written or recorded statement is one tactic used by insurance companies to attack injury claims.
What you say in a statement follows you throughout the case. If any part of your story changes, the insurance company uses that to question your honesty about the accident and your injuries.
Before talking to the insurance company or any representative for the company, talk to a Sacramento personal injury attorney.
3. Failing to Keep Documentation
You must prove that the other party caused your injury to recover compensation. You must also prove you sustained damages. Documentation is the key to proving damages. Keep copies of all documents related to the accident, including receipts, bills, mileage, invoices, medical records, reports, and other documents. Organizing your documents into files can help you keep track of important information throughout your case.
4. Not Being Honest With Your Sacramento Injury Lawyer
Not telling your attorney everything about your accident or injury can hurt your chance of success. This fact is true with any legal matter. Your attorney cannot help you obtain the best possible outcome in your personal injury case if the attorney is not aware of all of the facts. Even if you believe it can hurt your case or is something that will not change your case, tell your attorney immediately.
5. Waiting Too Long to Act
There are strict deadlines for filing personal injury claims. If you do not file your claim before the deadline expires, you lose your case on a Statute of Limitations defense.
Don’t wait too long to act. Contact an attorney now to discuss your injury claim.
Contact Our Sacramento Injury Lawyer Today
It does not cost you anything to learn about your legal rights and options. Call The Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Sacramento.
