If you’ve been injured in an accident due to someone’s negligence, you have the right to file a personal injury claim. You may think that the process is fairly straightforward. Someone caused your injuries, and you sued them for damages, right?
For as easy as it may seem, many plaintiffs seeking compensation for their injuries make quite a few mistakes. We’ll cover the 6 most common mistakes plaintiffs make when filing personal injury claims.
6 Common Mistakes Plaintiffs Should Avoid in Florida Personal Injury Claims
When filing a personal injury claim, you want to do it correctly. To the common person, Florida’s personal injury laws can be confusing and difficult to understand.
After an accident that causes bodily harm, most people have rattled nerves that can last for weeks or months. Due to their nervousness, pain, and suffering, plaintiffs sometimes make mistakes or bad decisions. Unfortunately, some of them can seriously compromise their case.
The residents who’ve been injured and want to file a claim should contact a personal injury lawyer in Miami, FL, to ensure the success of their case.
Admitting Fault
It’s common to be nervous and confused after an accident. You may not be entirely sure what happened or how the accident was caused. You’re most natural reaction may be to apologize or say the accident was your fault, even if you weren’t in the wrong. Unfortunately, this common courtesy can come back to bite you when seeking damages. Accident victims should never admit fault of any kind.
Failing to Report Injuries
After an accident, most people want to return to the comfort of their homes as soon as possible. Their aches and pains may seem minor at the time, and they’ll refuse medical treatment. If your accident report says that you refused medical treatment or that you said you were uninjured, this could pose a problem. Initially, minimizing your injuries, although common, could make your personal injury claim difficult to prove.
Not Seeking Medical Treatment
It can be challenging to seek compensation for injuries when you didn’t seek medical treatment. Not going to the hospital immediately after an accident is one thing, but waiting weeks or months to visit a doctor won’t make for a strong case. It’s true that some symptoms won’t be apparent immediately after an accident, but the sooner you seek medical treatment, the better your chances are of receiving compensation.
Not Following Treatment Plan
It’s imperative to follow your healthcare provider’s treatment plan explicitly. Not doing so will provide the defendant to claim that your injuries are false and don’t require treatment or that you’re trying to prolong treatment. Go to all scheduled appointments for tests, checkups, or physical therapy sessions. Failure to do so will only hurt your case.
Not Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney
One of the biggest mistakes plaintiffs make when filing a personal injury claim is the false belief that they can handle it without an experienced lawyer. A personal injury lawsuit can be complex and time-consuming. Without having a background in Florida’s personal injury laws, trying to handle your own case will quickly lead to failure. To receive proper compensation, always hire an attorney with expertise in personal injury cases.
Accepting the First Settlement Offer
If it’s apparent that the defendant was in the wrong and, due to their negligence, you were injured, it’s very common for their lawyer or insurance company to offer you a settlement. Even though the majority of personal injury claims are settled out-of-court during the dispute-resolution phase, this first settlement offer is rarely what the case is worth. A savvy personal injury attorney will best know how to get you the compensation you deserve.
Don’t Make These Common Mistakes When Pursuing a Personal Injury Claim
Anyone involved in an accident will feel all kinds of emotions. Regrettably, this can lead to mistakes and bad decisions that can hurt your personal injury lawsuit. Some of these bad choices can be smoothed out by working with a professional personal injury attorney.
The key takeaway for plaintiffs is to hire the best attorney for the job and follow all of their instructions. Go to your medical appointments and ensure that you provide your lawyer with all the details of your accident and recovery.
