Most mistakes can be corrected with a well-written apology, bouquet of roses, or box full of chocolates. Personal injury cases are more difficult. Your claim’s status can have an impact on how much you receive. If you make a serious mistake, your claim may be denied.
This article will look at some common claims mistakes and show you how to avoid them.
Providing a Recorded Statement
- You should not give a recorded statement to an insurance company if you have not yet done an investigation into the accident and assessed your damages. Although these interviews might seem innocent, the insurance company will often be looking for specific answers to their case.
- If you don’t have the facts and an assessment of your losses, you run the risk of saying something incorrectly or falsely, which could put your credibility in jeopardy and compromise your settlement.
Staying Active on Social Media
- Social media is a great way to stay connected, but it could also pose a threat to your personal injury case’s success. Claims adjusters routinely monitor claimants’ social media accounts for evidence that could be used in a dispute. You could use anything you post online to make your claim fall apart.
- Photographs of you at a party or engaging in physical activity could be used to prove that your injuries aren’t as severe as you claim. Your comments may be misrepresented, taken out of context, or used to contest your case.
Skip the Doctor’s visit
- Even if your injuries are minor, it is important to see a doctor immediately. Failure to have a medical evaluation within a reasonable time frame after an accident can lead to disputes in your claim.
- The insurer could argue that your injuries were caused by another incident because the date of your visit with your doctor doesn’t correspond to the date of the accident.
Ignoring Your Doctor’s Orders
- It is a grave mistake to disregard the instructions of your healthcare provider. This could result in you losing thousands of dollars in damages. The insurer may assert that your actions–or inaction–exacerbated your injuries or prolonged your recovery resulting in additional, but ultimately avoidable, medical expenses. These costs could be incurred by you in certain situations.
Failing to Track Your Damages
- You will need to show proof of your losses in a personal injury case. You should keep copies of all accident-related documents, including invoices that detail the cost of your treatment or pay stubs that show the wage loss you sustained since the accident.
Summarized from an article by Harris Personal Injury Lawyers.
