Make sure the insurance companies compensate you appropriately if you are ever hurt in an accident that wasn’t your fault.
You might also require additional compensation to pay for your medical costs, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses in addition to any physical damage.
Unfortunately, getting the compensation you deserve is not always straightforward.
Liability claim procedures are not always straightforward.
Victims frequently become frustrated by the insurance company in charge’s lack of response.
Or in some extreme situations, the insurance companies won’t treat victims fairly.
Many people are unsure of what to do as a result.
At this point, getting legal representation to support your claim is a must.
Many people hurt because of someone else’s negligence mistakenly believe they don’t have access to qualified help immediately and risk making choices that could jeopardize their legal rights.
We will go over several common errors to avoid in the following article when bringing a lawsuit on your behalf.
By avoiding these blunders, you’ll be able to start your claim off on the right foot and increase your chances of working with your Atlanta car accident attorney to maximize your potential compensation value.
Know More: Can You File a Personal Injury Claim Without a Hospital Visit After an Accident?
Contents
Thinking You Can’t Afford A Lawyer
Personal injury attorneys charge a contingency fee instead of most lawyers who charge their fees upfront.
Your attorney will take your case with a contingency fee without requiring a deposit.
They only get paid if they successfully settle your case.
Because they will only take a small portion of your overall settlement, you have nothing to lose by hiring a lawyer.
Hiring a lawyer will almost always result in a higher settlement than the insurance provider would otherwise offer.
Representing Yourself
Accident victims occasionally attempt to manage their injury claims independently and file alone.
Before attempting this, remember that the insurance companies and their attorneys are much more knowledgeable about insurance law than the average citizen.
They manage lawsuits every day.
You require the assistance of a knowledgeable personal injury attorney if you want to obtain the compensation you are entitled to for your injury claim.
Your attorney will know the tricks and fight for your rights at every stage.
Accepting What Your Lawyer Says Without Question
Keep informed and involved in the settlement process by asking questions about your injury claim.
Remember that you selected your attorney and paid him to assist you with your injury claim.
As a result, you have the right and duty to object to anything they do about your claim.
You can always look for a new lawyer if you ever feel your current one is not handling your claim correctly.
Giving The Insurance Company An Official Statement
After an accident, the insurance company will try to get you to give a recorded statement.
They do this to determine whether it can be used against you as evidence to reject your injury claim later.
However, you are more likely to make mistakes when reviewing the accident scene in the immediate aftermath.
Your words’ intended meaning can be misconstrued.
Never provide an insurance company with any statement without first consulting a lawyer.
Thinking You Have To Go To Court
The majority of personal injury cases can be resolved out of court.
They can typically be resolved out of court after your injury lawyer reviews the initial settlement proposal and negotiates for just compensation.
To save time and money, your attorney will try to avoid court.
A reasonable attorney won’t avoid a trial if they believe you will receive the compensation you are entitled to.
Not Seeking Medical Attention
Some accident victims might believe they don’t need to see a doctor unless there are apparent injuries.
However, numerous injuries from auto accidents are not always visible.
You won’t be able to pursue compensation for injuries if you don’t get medical care and later discover your accident claim doesn’t cover them.
After an accident, it is always in your best interest to get medical help immediately.
Waiting Too Long To File
Georgia’s statute of limitations allows claims to be filed two years after the accident date.
But many of those months will be spent in hospitals and rehabilitation if you recover from severe injuries.
They are not used to handling the paperwork required to begin your injury claim.
To start your claim before it’s too late, you should immediately consult with a personal injury lawyer.
Do you have any questions about reopening claims? Read “Can a Personal Injury Claim Be Reopened” on our blog.
Accepting The First Offer From The Insurance Company
To cut costs, your insurance company needs to settle as soon as possible.
Rarely, if ever, is the insurance company’s initial offer to you the best one they can make.
The insurance agents might also want you to sign a waiver before you can pursue compensation after taking them up on their initial offer.
You might give up your right to a just settlement if you don’t have legal representation.
Thinking You’ve Already Waited Too Long.
Even though the two-year filing window is moving quickly, never give up because you believe you have waited too long to file.
Free case evaluation consultations are provided by every personal injury attorney worth your time.
Whether or not you waited too long can be determined with certainty.
Additionally, some injuries, such as surgical errors, may not be identified for years after the procedure.
For that kind of claim, the statute of limitations will apply differently.
Not Filing A Claim Because You Think You’re At-Fault
This implies that more than one party may be partially responsible for an accident.
A party cannot be awarded damages if they are found to be at least 50% at fault.
However, as long as your share of the blame for the accident doesn’t exceed 49 percent, you may still be eligible to receive a portion of the settlement.
Discussing Pre-Existing Conditions
Insurance adjusters can use your pre-existing medical conditions against you to make an unfair offer if you don’t disclose them.
The best course of action to avoid any activities that might impact your settlement is to have a lawyer represent your interests.
