7 Mistakes That Can Greatly Affect A Car Accident Lawsuit

Car accidents are unavoidable in most instances, but there are also certain cases where crashes are caused by the negligence of other drivers. In such a situation, you are entitled to receive compensation for the injuries suffered and damages caused to your property as a result of the accident. However, it is important to prove fault in an accident and there are certain things that you should avoid to win your claim.

Here are seven mistakes that can greatly affect a car accident lawsuit

1.   No Police Report

When you have been involved in an accident, it is important to report it to the police within the stipulated time frame. A traffic police officer should attend the accident scene and they can file an accident report that you can use in your claim. Without an accident report, chances of winning your lawsuit are very slim since insurance companies can dispute your claim.

2.   Late Filing Of The Claim

Soon after an accident, it is important to notify your insurance company about the crash. You need to understand the deadlines set by different insurance companies so that you can succeed in your claim. After a car crash, your injury claim is forwarded to the at-fault driver, and an insurance adjuster is deployed to assess the damages and injuries.

The assessment helps the insurance company to determine the compensation you deserve or to dispute the claim. This helpful guide gives you the vital information you need to know before you file a lawsuit to be on the safe side. Deadlines for filing an accident claim vary from state to state, so you need to read your insurance policy carefully.

3.   Discussing Your Case

Another common mistake made by victims after a car accident is to discuss their personal injury lawsuits with representatives from other insurance companies. Adjusters from other insurance companies may sound compassionate, but always remember that there is no way they can help you. They will be interested in getting the information they can use against you so that they do not pay the compensation you deserve. With that being said, you should never talk to different people in the absence of your accident attorney since this can jeopardize your car accident lawsuit.

4.   Ignoring Doctor’s Orders

It is critical to seek medical treatment soon after an accident. You may not feel any pain after a crash but it is dangerous to avoid visiting the doctor since insurance companies involved can dispute your claim. When you visit a doctor, you will get a medical report that is used to assess your injuries to determine the right compensation that you deserve. All the same, you should follow your doctor’s advice and keep all the medical prescriptions you’re given as well as other evidence to prove your injuries.

5.   Failing To Document Information About The Accident

You should document all vital evidence that can help support your claim after an accident. For instance, you should take photos of damaged cars and your injuries as future evidence. Videos can also work in your lawsuit since they cannot be disputed. Apart from visual evidence, you can also talk to witnesses at the accident scene and make sure to exchange contact details that can help in your case. Additionally, you can exchange insurance company information with the driver at fault.

6.   Signing Documents That You Don’t Understand

Another common mistake made by many people is that they sign documents that they do not understand without the knowledge of their attorneys. Likewise, after an accident, it is essential to contact a qualified accident lawyer since they have experience in dealing with such cases. Without a lawyer, insurance companies can underpay you since they are in the business of making money.

7.   Using Social Media To Divulge Your Accident Details

You should never be tempted to use social media to divulge the details of your accident since this can compromise your claim for compensation. You should remember that insurance companies are, after all, a business, and they can use any information they can get about the accident against you. If you post images of your injuries on social media, the insurance adjusters or defense attorneys can use such evidence to disprove your claim that you were seriously injured.

While accidents are common, at times, they are caused by the fault of the other drivers. In such a scenario, you are entitled to file a car accident lawsuit in case you have failed to reach an agreement with the other party who is at fault. However, some people often make some common mistakes that can affect the outcome of the lawsuit. To increase the chances of succeeding in your lawsuit, there are certain mistakes that you should avoid as outlined above.