5 Ways to Destroy an Auto Accident Case

5 Ways to Destroy an Auto Accident Case

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Nearly three million people in the United States are injured in car accidents every year. If you are one of them, you have the right to file an auto accident insurance claim. This process can be complicated and many factors are at play, however, here are five things that you should avoid if possible as to not ruin your case.

1. Not seeking Medical Attention After An Accident

Getting medical treatment for accident-related injuries is important when it comes to filing an insurance claim because you will need documentation that proves that the accident was the cause of your injuries.

You may not feel injured at the scene of an accident and therefore do not believe it to be necessary to seek medical attention. But sometimes you can have an injury like whiplash which does not present immediately. That’s something to be aware of as you go on after the accident and document your case to file an insurance claim.

2. Not Telling A Doctor What Hurts

Going hand-in-hand with seeking medical treatment is telling your doctor everything that hurts or feels “off.” You may be tempted to only mention the substantial injuries or pains you’re feeling, but both the big stuff and the little stuff matters when it comes to accident insurance claim cases.

For example, if something “small” like a back spasm turns out to be a bigger deal later on, it can get thrown out of the case since you failed to mention it earlier. If you are truly in good health, there’s no reason to unnecessarily seek medical treatment, but all too often insurance companies take advantage of a delay in treatment for things like “a little neck or back pain.”

3. Speaking With An Insurance Adjuster Before You Get Professional Input

After you’ve been in a car accident, your first inclination may be to call your insurance company to confirm what kind of liability coverage you have and to discuss the details about the accident.

Usually, people aren’t even trying to file an insurance claim and just want information about their account. However, calls to your insurance adjuster are recorded. You may not realize you are unknowingly admitting fault in the accident when you say something like, “The car just came out of nowhere and I didn’t see it,” thus incriminating yourself in the accident.

If you ultimately decide to file an insurance claim, your conversations may be used against you. If possible, you should wait until you’ve been able to seek professional input from a legal representative such as an injury attorney before you make any calls to your insurance company.

Getting legal counsel before you give any kind of statement can safeguard you from saying something that could impede your claim in the future.

4. Settling Too Early On A Case

Settling too early on a case can also be problematic.

Perhaps you may have an idea of how much you think your case is worth and you take what the insurance company gives you, only to find out later that your case was worth much more. Or maybe you accept payment for what you thought was a minor injury, that turns out to be a chronic ailment that you will have for a lifetime.

Injury attorneys will have professional insight into the value of a claim based on the details of your case and the nature of your injury.

5. Not Hiring A Personal Injury Lawyer

Statistics show that auto accident victims who hire a personal injury lawyer recover on average 40% more than those who do not hire a personal injury lawyer.

Not only that but accident lawyers typically work on a contingency fee. This means the lawyer does not make a penny if he or she does not win your case.

What are you waiting for? Schedule your no-risk consultation: 417-815-3294