5 Mistakes That Can Hurt (or Kill) Your Personal Injury Claim
Personal injury claims, like car accidents and slip and falls, are complicated, and there are several common mistakes that can severely hurt or destroy your case.
Insurance adjusters work for insurance companies, which are for-profit businesses. In fact, the insurance industry made $144 Billion in profits last year. An Insurance adjusters’ job is to protect their employer and maximize profits — they do that by minimizing your personal injury claim.
Avoiding the common mistakes below will make it easier to recover full compensation for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other losses.
Avoid These Common Mistakes to Protect Your Personal Injury Case
Mistake #1 – Delaying Medical Treatment:
- Why it hurts your case:
- Insurance companies will likely argue your injuries weren’t significant if you didn’t seek prompt medical attention.
- Gaps in medical treatment: if there are large gaps in your medical treatment, the insurance company may argue that you were not injured or that you are exaggerating your injuries.
- What to do:
- Seek medical attention immediately after an accident.
- Follow your doctor’s treatment plan diligently.
- If you disagree with the doctor or find the recommended treatment unhelpful, find another doctor or speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer about it.
- What to Know:
- Insurance companies will rely mostly on medical records and bills when determining how much to pay for your personal injury claim.
- The more medical documentation you have verifying your injuries, the easier it will be to settle your accident claim.
- An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you find medical providers in a timely manner.
Mistake #2 – Talking to the Defendant’s Insurance Company Without a Personal Injury Lawyer
- Why it hurts your case:
- Insurance adjusters may try to get you to say something that minimizes your claim or get you to admit fault.
- Insurance adjusters handle personal injury claims everyday, you are therefore at a disadvantage when negotiating with them.
- What to do:
- Even if you decide to try and handle your accident claim without a lawyer, avoid giving the insurance adjuster a recorded statement. You are not required to give one.
- Refer all communication from the insurance company to your lawyer.
- What to Know:
- If you are unsure about whether you need a personal injury lawyer for your claim, find an injury attorney like West Law Firm who offers free consultations.
Mistake #3 – Settling Too Quickly
- Why it hurts your case:
- Once you settle your accident claim, your case is over forever.
- If your injuries are not fully healed, you may face future medical bills and lost wages that you won’t receive compensation for.
- You could settle for less than you deserve.
- What to do:
- Don’t rush into a settlement until you know the full extent of your injuries and future medical needs.
- Have an experienced personal attorney review any settlement offer before you accept it.
- What to Know:
- The insurance company wants to settle your personal injury or accident claim as soon as possible usually only if they can get you to settle for less than full compensation.
Mistake #4 – Unheedful Social Media Communications
- Why it hurts your case:
- Insurance companies will likely monitor your social media for evidence that contradicts or minimizes your claim.
- Posting about activities that suggests you are not as injured as you claim will damage your credibility.
- Posting about political issues or activities that may offend someone, like tolerance for drugs and alcohol consumption, could hurt your case, especially if your personal injury lawsuit goes to trial.
- What to do:
- Ensure your privacy settings are strong.
- Be cautious about what you post on social media.
- Consider limiting or disabling your social media accounts during your case.
Mistake #5 – Not hiring an experienced personal injury attorney
- Why it hurts your case:
- Personal injury cases, including truck accidents and work injuries, are complex and involve multiple legal and medical issues. A personal injury lawyer will help you avoid mistakes and maximize the value of your case.
- Injury attorneys have experience in dealing with and negotiating with insurance companies.
- Finding doctors willing to treat accident-related injuries can be difficult and frustrating, but are critical for getting the compensation and medical treatment you deserve. Having an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side can help ensure you get the medical treatment you need.
- What to know:
- Not all lawyers are personal injury lawyers. At West Law Firm, we only handle personal injury cases so that we have the skill and experience necessary to get personal injury clients the compensation they deserve.
- Beware of general practitioners and other lawyers who don’t focus on personal injury law. If you have a heart problem, you go to a heart doctor not a foot doctor. The same principles apply to choosing a lawyer. If you need a will, go to an estate lawyer. If you have an accident or injury case, go to a personal injury lawyer.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can significantly improve your chances of winning your personal injury claim.
Injured in West Virginia? Don’t Wait. Get the Legal Help You Deserve
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Charleston, WV, or anywhere throughout West Virginia, time is critical. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims can be short, and as mentioned above, there are many mistakes that are easy to make when you don’t have the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer. Don’t risk losing your right to compensation.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today!
Our experienced West Virginia personal injury attorney at West Law Firm is ready to review your case and answer your questions. We understand the unique challenges faced by folks injured in West Virginia and are committed to fighting for your rights.
Call us now at 877-943-9378 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. We serve clients throughout West Virginia, including Kanawha County, Southern West Virginia, and the Eastern Panhandle. West Law Firm is just a few blocks away from the West Virginia State Capitol, and we have plenty of free parking.
Brooks West is a distinguished West Virginia personal injury attorney and the founder of West Law Firm. Since beginning his legal career in 2005, he has been a tireless advocate for those injured due to the negligence of others.
Brooks is ranked by Best Lawyers, and his exceptional legal skills and dedication have earned him the prestigious Martindale-Nolo AV Preeminent Rating, an accolade bestowed on attorneys who demonstrate the highest levels of professional excellence and ethical standards. Brooks is also a member of both the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multimillion Dollar Advocates Forum, reflecting his track record of securing multimillion dollar results for his clients.
Throughout his career, Brooks has demonstrated unwavering dedication to helping injured individuals and their families. If you’ve been hurt in an accident, Brooks West and his team at West Law Firm are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Lance Bork