How to Avoid Common Pitfalls in Personal Injury Claims
Personal injury claims can be complex and overwhelming, especially if you’re also trying to navigate your medical care and recovery at the same time. That’s why so many victims give up before receiving compensation. However, a personal injury claim gives you a good shot at recovering your losses after an accident caused by another person’s negligence. It’s important to fight for your rights and make sure you have a legal team who’s on your side.
Learn more about avoiding common mistakes and pitfalls in the personal injury claim process. When you’re ready to move forward with your claim, call Reeves & Mestayer at 228-300-2754.
Report the Accident to the Police
Avoid one common mistake by reporting the incident to the police (if doing so is applicable in your case). Car accidents, dog bites, pedestrian accidents, and other types of injuries should be reported to the police. Some, including slip and fall cases, do not warrant a police report—but they should be reported to the property owner and documented appropriately.
Not filing a police report is one of the most common mistakes we see. The at-fault party may want to avoid making the situation worse for themselves, but you must do what is right for you and your case.
Make Sure You Seek Medical Care
Skipping medical care is another common pitfall in personal injury claims. Even if you feel fine after the accident, have only minor aches and pains, or are worried about the cost of medical care, get checked out by a doctor. The longer you wait to seek medical care after an accident, the harder it is to prove that your injuries were caused by the incident in question. Furthermore, some injuries aren’t immediately obvious. Unfortunately, these are also often the injuries that can kill you if you wait too long to begin treatment. Seeking immediate medical care is good for your health and your personal injury claim.
Do Not Give a Recorded Statement
It probably won’t be too long before the other party’s insurance company reaches out to you and wants to chat. One mistake we see too many victims make is agreeing to make a recorded statement for the other party’s insurance company. They’re already going to do everything they can to eliminate your settlement and blame the accident on you—don’t make their job easier for them.
When you provide a recorded statement, they have the chance to pick through it, look for inconsistencies, look for unclear language, and find any way possible to shift blame onto you and away from their client. You should talk to your attorney before you have any direct contact with the other party’s insurance provider.
Keep Your Accident Off of Social Media
Many people go right to social media after an accident, ready to post details and call out the negligent party. This mistake can be devastating for your personal injury claim. While you may want to share your life with your friends and family members, hold off on posting about your accident until the claim is settled. Insurance companies will absolutely go through your social media, find posts that can be used against you, and use those posts to weaken your claim and reduce your settlement offer.
Don’t Try to Handle Your Case Alone
This happens a lot. People want to avoid the hassle of hiring a Biloxi personal injury attorney, so they try to negotiate with the insurance company on their own. When the insurance company refuses to budge, then they reach out to a lawyer. At this point, we are still more than willing to help—but some damage has likely been done to your case. The insurance company may have gotten damaging information or statements out of you, and we’ll need to combat those while building your case. Working with an attorney from the very beginning is far safer.
Reach Out to Reeves & Mestayer Today
If you’ve been injured because of someone else’s negligence, you could be entitled to sizable compensation. Let’s sit down and discuss your injuries in greater detail so we can come up with a plan. Schedule your consultation right away by connecting with us online or calling us at 228-300-2754.
