You’ve been involved in an accident and you’re feeling frightened and confused about where to turn. You want to ensure that everything goes to plan with your claim even when you’re feeling most overwhelmed. When you have been involved in a crash, anything can go awry, especially if this is the first time this devastation has happened to you. This is why it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible, as well as avoid some common mistakes that take place in claims every year.
Mistakes in Injury Claims
Not Calling Police: After a car accident, it is extremely vital to speak with the police about your accident. Perhaps the other driver put pressure on you to avoid calling the police, saying that you could “handle it on your own.” Even if this happens, you will still need a police report so that you can move forward with your case, as these reports tend to show who is at fault for an accident if the officer gives their opinion. You want to avoid false claims down the line and be able to show exactly what happened at the time of your accident, and this is the best way to do so.
Not Retaining Enough Information: If you leave the scene of an accident after speaking with the other party but you don’t have any of their information, this could spell trouble. You might think that it’s okay to part ways and then you go home, only to find out that your injuries are worse than you originally expected. You should always collect certain information such as the name of the other party, the insurance info, their address, phone number, and a variety of other essential items that will help you identify a party.
Claiming Fault: After an accident, you never want to tell another party that the accident was your fault right off the bat. You might think that you caused a crash only to find out that you were wrong and now the other party is pointing the finger at you. It is possible that the other party is at fault or both of you played a role in the accident.
Not Taking Photographs: You should always have pictures at the scene of an accident because you will not be able to show the court just how bad your accident was without photos of any type. You should attempt to get photos of the vehicles involved, roadways, street signs, skid marks, and debris. Photographs are great evidence in an accident.
Trusting an Insurance Company: You need to see the insurance companies involved in your case as financial businesses that wish to give you as little as possible when it comes to your claim. The insurance company might try to take advantage of you in a desperate time, which is why you should never fully trust them when it comes to your claim.
Let Us Help You
One of the biggest mistakes you can make in a personal injury case? Not reaching out to an accident lawyer. Our personal injury attorneys at Katz Kantor Stonestreet & Buckner understand your personal situation and how difficult it is to move forward after your personal injury claim. We hope to help you seek the compensation you deserve to make you feel whole again during this desperate time. Injuries can be devastating to your life, but you never stand alone in your time of need. Do not hesitate to contact us to find out what we can do for you at (304) 713-2014.
