When dealing with a personal injury claim, it’s essential to control whatever you can. Why? You want to maximize the value of your claim and recover as much compensation as possible. An attorney can offer you some general advice, but our personal injury lawyers want to delve into the dos and don’ts of filing a personal injury claim.
The Dos of Personal Injury Claims
We understand that life can be problematic in the aftermath of a serious accident. You’re likely facing a lengthy recovery period for your injuries. However, it’s also your priority to file a successful personal injury claim, which requires you to do the following:
- Collect Evidence. Gathering as much evidence as possible will strengthen your claim considerably. Focus on obtaining information that will prove who’s at fault, such as witness statements, videos, or photographs of the crash site.
- Obtain the Police Report. When an accident occurs, you should notify the police about it. They’ll assess what happened and document their findings in a police report. This report can corroborate your version of the events and uncover any factors contributing to the accident.
- Contact a Lawyer. It’s always advised that you put your trust in a professional. A personal injury attorney helps level the playing field against insurance adjusters who want to fleece you out of the money you deserve.
- Treat Your Injuries. You must seek medical attention immediately after the accident and undergo follow-up visits. Remember, injuries can take days or weeks to become apparent, and you don’t want to go untreated for too long.
Remember, you’re entitled to compensation for any damages that occur as a result of the accident. This includes financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and auto repair bills.
The Don’ts of Personal Injury Claims
There are several crucial mistakes that you need to avoid while pursuing a personal injury claim. Knowing all the don’ts ensures that you recover maximum compensation. Here’s what you shouldn’t do:
- Admit Fault. Even if you contributed to the accident, you should never admit fault. You’re only jeopardizing the compensation that you’re eligible to claim. Keep in mind that you could also be missing crucial information on what caused the accident.
- Accept the First Settlement Offer. You never want to accept the first offer you receive from the insurance company. It’s likely not going to be close to what you deserve. Car insurance companies are for-profit businesses, and their job is to save their clients’ money.
- Discuss Your Case With Everyone. You should keep the chatter to a minimum and only discuss the details of your case with close family members. Insurance companies pay attention to everything, and they’ll use anything you say against you.
The bottom line is that you must be careful about what you say and whom you speak with during the claims process. One wrong move can jeopardize everything. It’s always better to keep to yourself and have an attorney oversee your personal injury claim.
Speak With a Personal Injury Attorney Today
Are you seeking a professional who can help guide you through filing a personal injury claim? The experts here at HHJ Trial Attorneys in San Diego are the perfect people for the job. We can review your case and determine the best way for you to recover compensation. Call us today at 619-INJURED.
