Everyone involved in a car accident knows how stressful it can be, especially if there are injuries involved. If the accident was not your fault, it can be even more difficult to handle. You will have to deal with the insurance companies, the driver who caused the wreck, and possibly even attorneys. It can be easy to make mistakes. Here are some possible ways you can hurt your own case and how to avoid them.
Refusing to get medical attention
If you are seriously injured, medical personnel will arrive on the scene and get you to the hospital for emergency care. However, if you refuse medical care, you will be seen as uninjured by the other party’s insurance company. If you are injured but do not seek help, you cannot prove that they hurt you in the car accident. Whether you get help on the scene, at the hospital, or from your own doctor, you should get some form of medical attention.
Keep in mind that some injuries will take time to show up. That means that you may not feel pain or have symptoms until a week after the accident. You should still visit a doctor as soon as possible after the wreck to make sure you are healthy.
Failing to get information after the accident
Not getting the information you need to prove your case immediately after the car accident can ruin your personal injury case. If you think you will remember everything, think again. Many people forget the details of the scene simply because their emotions are running wild. Even if you are telling the truth or believe you are telling the truth, some may think you are lying.
If you are medically able to get information after a car accident, you should get as much as possible. This includes the contact information from the driver and their insurance company, their policy number, and their license number. You should also be sure to take pictures of the damage to all vehicles and your injuries. When you can, write down your account of the accident. The authorities that arrive at the scene of the accident will also take their own records.
Giving the insurance company a statement
After a car accident, you should speak with your own insurance company about the wreck. But, you are not required to speak with the other party’s insurance company. The adjuster will most likely try to get you to provide a statement as quickly as possible, without an attorney. If this happens to you, it is an attempt to get you to settle for less.
The insurance adjuster may call you quickly after the accident. They will not wait for you to get out of the hospital or for you to heal. The goal at this point is for them to get a recorded statement. DO NOT give them this without an attorney. Giving a statement to the insurance company without an attorney is one of the most common ways to undermine a personal injury case.
Stopping medical treatment too early
The way the insurance company (or the other party’s attorney) will look at your stopping treatment is that you are not actually hurt. You should follow all of your doctor’s recommendations and give yourself at least six months to heal. Some injuries will take even longer to heal properly. It is important for you to take care of yourself for your health as well as your case.
Choosing not to hire an attorney
Another common way car accident victims can hurt their own case is to not work with an attorney. A professional personal injury attorney can help you navigate the difficulties of talking to an insurance adjuster. They understand the industry and how to get you the compensation you deserve.
Other ways you can undermine your case
There are many other ways that car accident victims have hurt their own chances at getting compensation. This is true whether they are seeking an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit.
Get help with your case from Attorney Dean Boyd
If you have been in a car accident and need help handling your claim or lawsuit, Attorney Dean Boyd and his Team can help. We have the knowledge and experience to help you get the money you deserve. Call us at (806) 242-3333 or Contact Us by email to learn more about our Services and getting your free consultation. You can also visit us in person at 4423 SW 45th Ave in Amarillo, Texas or 10623 Quaker Ave #102 in Lubbock, Texas.
