Common Mistakes to Avoid in a Personal Injury Case
The complexity of filing a personal injury claim leaves room for a variety of mistakes. You can avoid these common personal injury case mistakes by learning what they are. There are also ways to improve your chances of a successful personal injury claim and to increase your compensation. Talk to a Wilmington accident lawyer for further guidance.
AVOID THESE PERSONAL INJURY MISTAKES
Some of the most common personal injury mistakes happen at the accident scene itself, right after the accident. One of the most common mistakes made at the accident scene is admitting fault. Not everyone realizes that they can indirectly admit fault by apologizing or making statements that make them sound guilty.
Your words can be used against you. Even if an admission of fault is indirect, this could be used to block your personal injury claim. This could turn into not being compensated for the damages you suffered from the accident. To protect yourself, limit conversations about the accident and go directly to the police to provide details about the accident.
Be sure to obtain a copy of the police report. Do not make the mistake of overlooking this seemingly minor step. Some personal injury claims are denied for not having a police report to corroborate statements about the accident. Avoid going off memory when describing the accident in your claim. Write down accident details as soon as possible after the accident.
Do not sign release forms or checks unless you are ready to settle. Even if you feel ready to accept a settlement, be cautious. Some insurance agents and third parties will attempt to offer you less compensation than you might be eligible for. Instead, calculate all the damages you suffered from the accident. Use this to decide whether to accept the settlement.
Lastly, do not wait until the last minute to seek medical attention. The longer medical attention is delayed, the harder it will be to tie your injuries to the accident.
DO NOT SETTLE FOR LESS COMPENSATION
You do not have to settle for less compensation. One of the biggest regrets people have is accepting a settlement too early and being stuck with out-of-pocket expenses. Explore types of compensatory damages and figure out which ones apply to your personal injury case:
- Medical expenses
- Property damages
- Vehicle damages
- Lost wages
- Future medical costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment
You could be eligible for compensation for both physical and mental damages caused by the accident. Consider contacting a Wilmington personal injury lawyer to figure out which damages you might be eligible for. A lawyer can work with you to find ways to maximize your compensation.
CALL EDELSTEIN MARTIN & NELSON TODAY
Navigating the personal injury claims process can be confusing, but you do not have to do this alone. Do not hesitate to contact Edelstein Martin & Nelson by dialing (302) 504-4815 to speak with a Delaware personal injury attorney for a free consultation today. Our experienced legal team is ready to help you maximize your compensation for lost income, pain and suffering, and medical costs. We serve clients in Wilmington, DE.