If you were hurt in a car accident that was caused by another driver, you are probably feeling stressed out and worried about your injuries and the time you could be off work. You may not even consider the lawsuit you may need to bring against the negligent driver. However, you should take certain steps to improve the likelihood of a good settlement as soon as you are physically able to do so. You should also be aware of common mistakes that you should not make because they could hurt your case.
5 Common Mistakes Accident Victims Make that Hurt Their Chances of Recovering Compensation
In the immediate aftermath of a car crash, people will often do things they later wish they had not done. Here are five things you should avoid doing to avoid hurting your potential claim:
Giving a recorded statement.
You should not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company without at least first consulting with an experienced car accident attorney. You are not required to give a recorded statement, and insurance adjusters are experts at getting people to accidentally say things that could hurt their cases.
Giving a blanket medical authorization.
The negligent driver’s insurance company will need the medical records pertaining to the injuries you suffered in the accident. However, they are not entitled to your complete medical records. They may use them to go on a fishing expedition for information that will harm your case. Review any medical release with an experienced attorney before signing it.
Discussing the accident on social media.
You need to be extremely careful about talking about the accident on social media accounts. The defense attorney and the other driver’s insurance adjuster could do an Internet search for this information, looking for proof that you were not as injured as you claim.
Lying.
Even white lies can hurt your case. You should not exaggerate your injuries to your attorney, your doctor, or anyone else. Lies about your injuries or other details can reduce your credibility, which will be crucial to winning your case.
Failing to promptly retain an attorney.
You need to contact an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible after the accident. He can help you obtain the best settlement possible and ensure that any lawsuit is filed before the statute of limitations expires.
Our Attorneys Can Help, Even If You’ve Already Made Some of These Mistakes
If you have already made some of these mistakes, do not make the biggest mistake of all by deciding not to pursue your claim for the compensation you could be entitled to. An experienced attorney can help minimize the damage from these missteps.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident you need to speak with an experienced Henderson Car Accident Lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our Henderson office directly at 702.405.6000 to schedule a free initial consultation.