It can be difficult to think clearly after a car accident. Pain, shock, and confusion can affect anyone. Add a lack of knowledge about insurance and the law and you’ll understand why many accident victims turn to lawyers for help with their claims. However, some people still think they can handle their case alone. Unfortunately, unrepresented victims often make major mistakes that cost them dearly. In this blog post, we’ll look at some of the most common mistakes people make when handling their own case. We also share some of the ways how an Albany accident attorney can help you to get fair compensation.
How to Avoid Jeopardizing Your Case
One of the biggest mistakes that accident victims make is neglecting to see a doctor immediately after the crash. Even if you don’t seem to be seriously hurt, you should still seek medical attention. If you don’t, the insurance company is likely to argue that you suffered your injuries in some other way. While it’s true that some car accident injuries simply aren’t symptomatic right away, the insurer will still use any delay against you. Accident victims need to make sure they get a checkup and that they keep all the related documentation.
Another costly error accident victims fall prey to is being inconsistent with your medical treatment. Simply going to the doctor isn’t enough. You also need to ensure you attend all subsequent appointments, take your medication, and get any additional recommended treatment. Doing so will help to prove that your injuries are as serious as you claim. If you skip appointments or don’t get the procedures you need, the insurance company will once again become suspicious.
Providing a statement to the other driver’s insurer without first consulting an Albany accident attorney is also a big mistake. Regardless of what the insurance adjuster tells you, giving a recorded statement is not mandatory. Since insurance companies are established to make a profit, adjusters look for any opportunity to limit the amount they have to payout. If they can find a way to deny your claim, they’ll do so. Otherwise, they’ll pay you as little as possible. This means they’ll find ways to use your comments against you.
Having said that, you shouldn’t try to hide the injuries that you suffered before the accident. Simply seek guidance from your attorney about how you should disclose this information. Some accident victims fear that they won’t be able to recover damages if they disclose pre-existing injuries. However, you have to right to get compensation for all new injuries resulting from the accident as well as the aggravation of previous injuries.
Sharing details of the accident on social media is also ill-advised. You may want to vent or share your side of the story but doing so can actually harm your case. You never know who’ll see your posts and use your comments as a way of limiting your ability to claim compensation. Sometimes, even statements that seem innocent can put your claim in jeopardy. If your ability to claim compensation is at stake, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Another common mistake is to settle an accident claim before reaching maximum medical improvement. You only have one opportunity to negotiate a settlement. If you accept an offer while treatment is ongoing and you haven’t recovered as much as you will, you won’t be able to ask for more money later. You need to know the full extent of your injuries and how much treatment you’ll need going forward before you agree to a settlement.
Why It’s So Important to Hire A Lawyer
Some people believe they will save money if they handle their claim themselves. They assume that once they submit an insurance claim, they’ll get the settlement they deserve. While this is possible with very small claims, insurance companies are usually reluctant to pay out large amounts. Having an experienced attorney on your side can make a major difference if you suffered serious injuries that require costly medical treatment and lots of time off work.
Not only do lawyers know how to accurately calculate losses, but they know what’s considered a fair settlement. If negotiations aren’t going anywhere, they can take the matter to court to get you the compensation you deserve. Accident victims who have skilled, experienced attorneys on their side usually get higher settlements than those who are unrepresented.
Contact Joe Durham Jr. P.C. Today!
It can be disastrous to handle your own case and you may need a Georgia car accident attorney to help you anyway when your claim is denied. If you’ve been involved in a crash, contact the team at Joe Durham Jr. P.C. and schedule a free consultation.
