How to Avoid Common Mistakes When Filing a Personal Injury Claim
Car accidents are some of the most common reasons why personal injury claims are filed. But they are not the only type of injury accident that can lead to a claim being filed. There are many other scenarios where a claim is warranted, like a slip and fall event, medical malpractice, defective product injuries, truck accidents, and more. When filing a personal injury claim, you want to make sure to maximize the amount of compensation you are able to get, to ensure you have enough to pay all of your medical bills, cover your lost wages, and address any other financial losses you experience as a result of being injured.
Tips for Success with a Personal Injury Claim
One of the biggest mistakes that people make is thinking they can take on the claims process without professional help. Certainly, there are no laws prohibiting a victim of an injury accident from managing their own claim, but without an understanding of tort law and how to appropriately identify all damages suffered and value a claim, it can be difficult to have success.
Even if a settlement is agreed to, there is a big risk that it isn’t enough. Insurance companies know that you may be inexperienced without a lawyer representing you, and they will almost certainly try to lowball you. If you accept, only to realize later it was not enough money to cover your medical bills and other expenses, it will be too late to do anything about it. Therefore, it is advantageous to work with an attorney when filing an injury claim.
Once the claim has been filed and an attorney secured, there are other things that claimants should avoid doing so they do not jeopardize their claim and their settlement amount.
- Don’t use social media, and ask others not to mention or include you on their platforms until your claim is over.
- Don’t communicate with the insurance agent; let your attorney do that for you.
- Don’t miss medical appointments, and always make sure to follow your doctor’s orders.
- Don’t ever admit guilt.
- Don’t exaggerate your injuries when speaking with your doctor. Likewise, do not gloss over the pain you are feeling. Be honest and open with your doctor about everything you are truly experiencing.
- Don’t accept the first offer by the insurance company. This offer is usually the lowest and often will not account for all of the damages suffered. Speak to your attorney about what your claim is worth so you know what a fair offer looks like.
- Don’t wait to file a claim. There is only a small window of time that a claim for compensation can be filed, and if you miss this deadline, you lose your opportunity for recompense. The Florida statute of limitations for an injury claim is four years.
- Don’t release your medical records to an insurance adjuster unless your attorney advises you to do so.
Speak to an Attorney at Fulgencio Law Today
The aftermath of an injury accident can be overwhelming, and there’s a lot to do and think about. An attorney can make the process of filing a claim go much more smoothly because they can advise you on what to expect as well as what to avoid.
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident in Florida, call a Tampa personal injury attorney at Fulgencio Law at (813) 463-0123. Your initial consultation is complimentary.
