Are you filing a personal injury claim for the first time? It’s common for people in your situation to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what they should do. You’re facing a new situation. The legal system is complicated. It’s hard to understand – it has a lot of moving parts.
Adding even more stress is that you have to try not to make mistakes that might cause you to lose your claim. Common mistakes you should avoid include:
1. If you’re injured, waiting too long after your accident to see a doctor.
Injuries are often more serious than they first appear. If you’re injured, you must see a doctor or other medical professional as soon as possible after your accident. Getting an early diagnosis can help you get the treatment you need to prevent your injuries from worsening. Also, the insurance company may not believe that your injuries are serious if you don’t seek medical help quickly.
2. Not taking proper care of your injuries.
After an injury, your first and most important obligation is to make the best possible recovery. If you don’t show up for your medical appointments or you don’t follow your doctor’s treatment plan, you will be hurting both your physical recovery and your claim. Insurance companies are always looking for credibility issues that justify paying less on claims. If you don’t seem to be taking your recovery seriously, you may be giving them an excuse to deny your claim.
3. Not telling your doctor about previous injuries.
It’s always better to tell the truth. Sometimes people think they will lose their claims if they had previous injuries that were similar to the ones they sustained in their accident, so they leave things out when their doctor takes their medical history. That’s a bad idea because it could make it more difficult for the health care provider to treat you – and remember, getting better should be your priority. When the insurance company investigates your claim, your prior injury will likely come out anyway. If the company reps think you were trying to hide things, that will give them one more excuse to dismiss your claim.
4. Accepting an offer from an insurance company without talking to a lawyer first.
Insurance company representatives may make unfairly low settlement offers to people who aren’t represented by attorneys. The reps think they can take advantage of people unfamiliar with the process. Never accept an offer from an insurance company without talking to an experienced personal injury lawyer first to find out if it’s a fair offer. Chances are, it won’t be.
5. Trying to handle this on your own.
So many things can go wrong if you are trying to file a personal injury claim without experience with the system. The good news is, there’s no need for you to do this by yourself. A personal injury law firm like Garmey Law can guide you through the process.
Contact the Personal Injury Attorneys at Garmey Law
At Garmey Law, we have the experience, resources, skill, and dedication to deal with the insurance company on your behalf and ensure you get everything you are legally entitled to receive. We work on a contingency basis, which means you won’t have to pay us anything unless you win your claim. Call us at (207) 481-4683 or contact us for a free consultation.
