There are many potential pitfalls that could happen to your personal injury case. The Clark Law Office has put together a list of the six most common mistakes people make in their cases and how to avoid them. The article breaks down each mistake, what it means for you, and how you can fix it.
Mistake #1: Not getting timely medical care
People’s biggest mistake is not getting timely medical care after an accident. The longer you wait to get treatment, the less likely your injury will heal properly and be able to recover compensation for it.
The general rule is to see a doctor within 24 hours of your incident or as soon as possible. If there are any signs of head trauma such as headaches, vision changes, or memory loss, you must seek treatment immediately. If it has been more than 24 hours after the incident, the other party may brush off your injuries as not being serious, even if your symptoms worsened later.
Mistake #2: Not protecting the evidence
Another mistake is failing to protect the evidence in your case, which can have serious consequences. If you aren’t careful, things like photographs and measurements could disappear or be damaged by wind or rain, leaving you in a tight spot.
After an accident, everything involved should be documented in pictures. This includes injuries, the damage to any vehicles, and of course, interviews with anyone involved.
The best way to protect evidence is by storing it in a safe place like your phone, where you can easily back up important files. Also, you might want to keep all items together, so they are easy to find later when needed.
Mistake #3: Not being mindful of what you say
People often forget how important it is to be mindful of what they say, yet there are many things that can come back and haunt them later.
Any time you are involved in an accident or you’re speaking with the opposing party like an insurance company; it is important not to discuss your case until you consult an attorney. You never know what’s going to come back against you in the future.
Be mindful of what information is given out in the beginning stages as well. Since insurance agents are trained professionals, they will do their best to get your case dropped or low balled by using what you say against you.
As a general rule, it is best not to discuss your case or what happened unless your attorney or someone who works with them is involved.
Mistake #4: Not using a prepaid debit card
Another mistake many people make is not using a prepaid debit card when paying injury-related bills. Using credit cards, or even worse, cash can result in the loss of important information that will need to be provided later on down the road.
The best way to protect yourself and your case are by using a prepaid debit card for all medical treatment and bills associated with your case. This way, you can be sure all of the necessary information is given to the appropriate parties without losing important data such as account numbers.
Mistake #5: Not maintaining careful records
Another common mistake people make is not being careful about maintaining good records. It’s important to keep track of every expense associated with the injury, no matter how small it may seem.
Even if you are reimbursed for certain expenses later on down the road, it will still benefit you because proper documentation can help your case overall.
Mistake #6: Not obtaining a police report
Many times people make the mistake of not getting a copy of the police report, even if they are injured in an accident that was their fault. It is not only crucial to get one if you are at fault for causing damage or injury, but it can also help with your case.
If insurance companies claim that the accident was your fault and you don’t have a police report, it can be hard to prove otherwise. A great way to protect yourself is by getting any necessary copies of police reports as soon as possible after an incident! It can also be useful for legal purposes in the future, particularly when handling insurance claims.
Overall, it’s important to remember that there are many ways one can protect themselves and their case, but the most important thing is being proactive!