If you’re in a car or other kind of accident, you will be faced with many issues, including who to talk to, what to say and which documents to sign. It’s easy for accident victims to get confused by all that’s going on and to mistakenly say or do something that hurts their claim.
Some Devastating Mistakes are Made After Having an Accident…
Here are five key mistakes to avoid if you’ve been in an accident.
- Admitting fault. Remember that anything you say can be used against you later and hurt your claim. Since you don’t have all the facts — and because confusion can cause you to not think clearly — don’t admit fault, at least not before consulting your lawyer.
- Dealing with insurance adjusters without a lawyer. Adjusters handle many accident claims, and dealing with them without a lawyer increases the chance you’ll say or sign something that hurts your case. Adjusters work for the insurance company, not you, and their job is to pay you as little as possible. Studies (even those done by insurance companies) show that accident victims receive more money with a lawyer’s help.
- Not getting information at the scene. Getting the right information at the scene of the accident helps your lawyer prepare the strongest case. Key information to get includes the name, address and phone numbers of witnesses and, in the case of a car accident, the other driver’s personal and vehicle information and insurance company name and policy number. It is also crucial to make notes of the accident, take photographs and save any physical evidence. A recorder is very useful in documenting your thoughts immediately after an accident and throughout the process.
- Keeping poor records of expenses and problems. Accident victims are entitled to be compensated for many things, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and changes to their lifestyle. Keeping good records of all out-of-pocket expenses and a written diary of all physical complaints will help you get compensated for everything the law entitles you to receive.
- Waiting to get legal help. The longer you wait to get legal help, the harder it can be to obtain evidence, and the more likely you will say something to an adjuster (or sign something) that hurts your case. Waiting also puts you at higher risk of losing your claim because there are deadlines involved when making personal injury claims.
These are some of the mistakes that accident victims can make which hurt their claim. If you have questions about what to do after an accident, get legal help. Your lawyer can help you avoid mistakes and obtain the maximum recovery.
You Need Great Legal Advice…
Barry R. Rabovsky only represents injured individuals and their families. With more than 29 years of experience as a personal injury attorney in the Chicago metropolitan area, he is well known and highly regarded. He is an aggressive, skilled trial lawyer with a reputation for excellence that makes his retention a key to success in complex, adversarial personal injury proceedings. Contact Barry today toll-free at (800) 822-4321 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
