5 Common Mistakes People Make in Their Personal Injury Claim

One mistake during the personal injury claim process can ruin your chances of compensation. It’s crucial to avoid making some of the most common mistakes to increase your likelihood of receiving the money you deserve. If you’re planning on filing a lawsuit, you should avoid making all of the following mistakes.

1. Not Getting Immediate Medical Attention

The sooner you get medical attention, the stronger your claim will be. If you wait to see a doctor, the other party may not believe that you have serious injuries. Furthermore, when you file a lawsuit, the court might doubt that your injuries were a result of the accident. Seeking immediate medical attention gives you documentation of your injuries and makes you more credible.

It’s also important that you follow through with the doctor’s suggestions. If you fail to do so, you’re showing that your injuries aren’t serious and that you don’t care about your recovery.

2. You Don’t Document or Report the Accident

Most accidents should be reported. For instance, a car accident needs to be reported to New York police if the damage is $1,000 or more or if someone was injured or killed. Although that might seem like a high number, $1,000 adds up quickly in vehicle repairs. In addition to keeping you in compliance with the law, reporting your accident also gives you documentation of the accident.

If you have a workplace accident, you should report it to your supervisor. Failing to do so hurts your chances of seeking compensation. Regardless of your type of accident, you should find a way to report it.

3. You Accept an Early Settlement Offer

Typically, the other party will make you a settlement offer. Although you might be eager to get money for your accident, you shouldn’t act too quickly. The first offer is usually a lower offer than you deserve.

Instead of taking the first offer, show it to an attorney. They will be able to tell you if it’s a fair offer, or if you could do better.

4. You Miscalculate Your Damages

If you don’t calculate your damages properly, you won’t get enough money to recover from your accident. Before filing a lawsuit, you should do a thorough calculation of all of your damages.

This means adding up your past and future medical bills. Additionally, you should factor in the cost of medical equipment and prescriptions.

If you have a catastrophic injury, you should consider the cost of your lost earning capacity. You may also be entitled to money for your pain and suffering. These damages are often difficult to calculate. For the best results, you should consult with a lawyer.

5. Not Hiring an Attorney

The biggest mistake you could make with your claim is not hiring a lawyer. Personal Injury claims are extremely complex. If you want to be successful, you need to work with someone who has experience handling this type of lawsuit.

An attorney knows what it takes to get results. For instance, they have the skills and resources needed to get expert and witness testimony that supports your claim.

In an effort to avoid all of the mistakes that can damage your personal injury claim, you should work with a lawyer. They will guide you through the process and prevent you from making a mistake. Call Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff to learn more.