10 Biggest Mistakes You Can Make After an Accident
If you’ve recently been in an accident, you’ll most likely have unexpected costs associated with medical bills, property damage, loss of wages, or other accident-related costs. If someone else was at fault for the accident, they may be responsible for your losses. New Jersey and Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers Console & Hollawell want to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve and avoid making the 10 mistakes below. These mistakes can significantly limit the compensation you receive.
Mistake #1: Failure to call the police. Call the police immediately following any accident, and wait for them to arrive so you can make a report. Anyone involved in the accident should remain until authorities arrive. Be sure to report injuries and property damage immediately.
Mistake #2: Admitting fault. Accidents happen quickly and can be very traumatizing. Sometimes it’s difficult, in the immediate aftermath of an accident, to determine what really happened. Don’t admit fault before reviewing the circumstances of your accident with a qualified and experienced personal injury attorney.
Mistake #3: Telling those at the scene that you and/or the occupants in your care are “okay.” It’s instinctual to calm the other driver down by telling him or her that you’re fine after an accident. However, this could hurt your case down the road. Instead, advise those at the scene of any symptoms you may be feeling, even if symptoms are minor. If you’re not feeling symptoms simply don’t say anything. Sometimes it takes between 24 and 48 hours for symptoms to present themselves.
Mistake #4: Failure to seek medical care. If injuries are apparent, take a ride in the emergency vehicle to the ER. Otherwise, see your doctor immediately upon leaving the accident scene. You may think you’re okay or that your injuries are minor enough to resolve on their own, but it’s best to leave that assessment to a doctor. Seeing a doctor immediately after your accident will ensure that all injuries and symptoms are officially documented.
Mistake #5: Failure to gather evidence. Don’t make the mistake of thinking an insurance company will gather evidence in your favor. Hire a personal injury attorney who can gather the right evidence—that which is most important to your case. Be sure to get the names and contact information of any witnesses, and if possible ask them to give their statements while the accident is still fresh in their minds. Also, use the camera feature on your mobile phone to take pictures of the accident scene.
Mistake #6: Giving too much information to the insurance company. Be sure to cooperate with your insurance company and give them all the basic information about the accident that’s required by law. However, don’t give them details they are not entitled to. To determine what information you should share with your insurance company, and what information you shouldn’t, hire a personal injury lawyer. In addition, a personal injury attorney can communicate with your insurance company on your behalf, so you don’t have to.
Mistake #7: Signing a medical records authorization. Signing a medical authorization will allow the insurance company to review your medical history, which may be used to reduce or deny your claim. Talk to a personal injury lawyer before signing any paperwork an insurance company puts in front of you.
Mistake #8: Accepting a quick settlement. Your adjuster will attempt to get you to settle quickly, and you may be tempted in order to “put everything behind you.” However, it may take months, even a couple of years, to determine the full extent of your injuries. Once you settle, you can’t get compensation later for injuries or any future time off work. Don’t accept the first offer by the insurance company. Instead contact a personal injury lawyer like Console & Hollawell to determine if the settlement is fair and to discuss your legal rights and options.
Mistake #9: Using Facebook and other social media sites. We all use Facebook and other social media sites to “spy” on others, and insurance adjusters are no different. Posts and photographs that contradict your claim or your injuries can hurt you. Remove or disable social media sites until your case is settled.
Mistake #10: Failure to call a lawyer. Your insurance adjuster will tell you that you don’t need a lawyer. In fact, accident victims who use lawyers recover 3.5 times more in compensation than those who don’t.
If you’ve recently been injured in an accident, and you believe your injuries are the fault of another, contact award-winning New Jersey and Pennsylvania personal injury attorneys Console & Hollawell today 866-778-5500 for a free consultation. Our top-rated team of personal injury attorneys has a successful track record against some of the biggest names in the insurance industry, and can help you get the compensation you rightfully deserve.
.jpg)
.gif)
