4 Ways to Hurt Your Personal Injury Claim

Mistakes to avoid with your Personal Injury Claim

If someone else causes your personal injury, you are entitled to the damages that person’s actions or neglect cause. The process is not automatic. Making mistakes along the way can undermine your claim. After your injury, be careful to avoid these common errors that keep you from getting the compensation you deserve.
1. Wait Too Long to Report
After a car accident, your police report is a critical piece of evidence. Call the police immediately if you are in a car accident. Usually, an officer will arrive on the scene and you give a report right there. Even in the case of a slip and fall, you should contact the proper authorities and give a detailed report of what happened. Reporting right away helps establish a timeline of events, and gives you the chance to explain what happened when the memory is freshest in your mind.
2. Skip (or Ignore) the Doctor
A record of what happened gives part of the story. You must also develop a record of injuries you have suffered. See a doctor as soon as possible to identify and treat any injuries you have suffered. Once you have done so, follow your doctor’s advice. Failure to do so can substantially lessen the value of your claim. Working with your doctor puts you on a path to recovery–both physically and financially.
3. Talk Too Soon to the Insurer
Insurance companies usually reach out to you quickly after an accident. Never talk to the other driver’s insurance company. Get the claim number and name of the adjustor, and call a lawyer. Insurers have an incentive to settle claims quickly and cheaply. Talking to them before you understand the extent of your injuries and damages can give them ammunition to deny part of your damages.
4. Go It Alone
Don’t wait to call a lawyer after an injury. The right lawyer will help you understand your injuries and your damages and tell you how to proceed. If you have been injured and want to protect your rights, contact Eisenberg Law Offices online or at 608-256-8356.
This post was originally published at https://www.eisenberglaw.org/4-ways-to-hurt-your-personal-injury-claim