Personal Injury Articles

After An Accident: Don't Make These Mistakes!

If you have been in an accident, what you say and do after it can affect how much compensation you receive. Here are some common mistakes accident victims make, and how to avoid them.

Handling A Personal Injury Claim Without A Lawyer's Help
After an accident, an insurance adjuster will likely try to convince you not to use a lawyer, saying a lawyer won't get you more money. But handling your claim alone can be a big mistake. Adjusters work for the insurance company, not you, and they say this so the company can pay you less money. Studies sow victims receive more monetary compensation with a lawyer's help. So don't make the mistake of believing adjusters who say a lawyer wont increase your compensation.

Giving Statements To Adjusters Without Consulting Their Lawyer
After an accident, an adjuster may try to get taped statements from you. Adjusters are trained to get people to make damaging statements, and anything you say will be used to lower your compensation. So don't make the mistake of giving a statement to an adjuster without consulting a lawyer.

Signing Insurance Company Documents Without Legal Advice
Just as adjusters try to get you to make damaging statements, they may also try to get you to sign documents that help the insurance company. These documents could effectively end your claim for very little money. Don't make the mistake of signing insurance company documents without consumer your lawyer.

Waiting To Seek Legal Help
The longer you wait to get legal help after an accident, the harder it can be to find evidence and witnesses. By waiting to get legal help, you also risk losing your claim because the deadline for making claims may expire.

Settling Too Fast, Before All Your Injuries Are Known
Many accident victimes think they suffered only minor injuries and accept a fast settlement. Later, they discover their injuries are worse than they thought, and they can't get more monetary compensation. Remember that many injuries take time to develop. Don't make the mistake of settling your claim before knowing the full extent of your injuries.

These are some mistakes accident victims make that hurt their case. If you have questions about what to to after an accident, call us. Seeking legal help promptly will help you avoid these and other mistakes.