Planning on Filing a Car Accident Claim? Avoid These Common Mistakes

Planning on Filing a Car Accident Claim? Avoid These Common Mistakes

If you were hurt in an auto wreck through no fault of your own, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. Just because you’re entitled to take action, however, doesn’t mean you’ll automatically secure a payout.

In order to recover compensation for the associated damages, you’ll have to put together a strong case. You’ll also have to avoid making critical mistakes along the way.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common mistakes that car accident claimants make over the course of the proceedings so you know what not to do:

1. Giving a Recorded Statement

The claims adjuster may request a recorded statement fairly soon after the accident. He or she may even tell you the carrier won’t be able to process your claim without one.

Unfortunately, commenting on what you think happened before conducting a thorough investigation—or discussing the damages before knowing their full extent—could end up hurting you down the road. As such, it’s best to deny the carrier’s request for a statement and instead refer them to your legal team.

2. Remaining Active on Social Media 

Claims adjusters have a number of strategies for finding cause to deny or at least devalue the cases they review, and monitoring online activity is one of them. Since there’s no way to be sure how the opposing party might misinterpret—or misrepresent—what you post, it’s wise to stay off social media altogether as long as your claim is pending.

3. Overlooking Damages 

In order to pursue the maximum payout possible, you must track all recoverable damages diligently. That means saving all relevant bills, invoices, paystubs, and receipts. You should also start a personal injury journal in which you write about your non-economic damages like emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment in life.

4. Postponing Medical Treatment 

Car accident claimants have an obligation to mitigate damages. That means visiting a doctor as soon as possible and following all medical advice once they do.

If you postpone seeking treatment—or return to work before your physician has approved it—and you suffer complications as a result, you could be deemed partially liable for the severity of your damages. This, in turn, could reduce the total compensation to which you’re entitled.

5. Accepting a Settlement Before Reaching Maximum Medical Improvement 

It’s impossible to be sure of the extent of your damages until you’ve reached maximum medical improvement (MMI). Concluding negotiations prior to reaching MMI could leave you with a settlement that doesn’t actually cover all your losses.

Call (954) 880-9500 to Discuss Your Case with a Car Accident Attorney 

If you want to take action against a negligent motorist, contact Lubell Rosen, LLC. Our compassionate team is committed to helping car accident victims pursue the compensation they need to put their lives back together. Call (954) 880-9500 or use our Online Contact Form to set up a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in Florida.

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Ryan M. Sanders,  Esq.

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 (954) 880-9500
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