Many things can go wrong during a personal injury claim. Each mistake could place you further away from collecting fair compensation for your injuries and losses. It is important to work with an attorney on your personal injury claim if you have serious injuries and expensive medical bills. A lawyer can help you sidestep the most common mistakes to achieve a successful personal injury case.
Admitting Fault
Liability for an accident in Arizona will come down to fault. The person responsible for the proximate cause of the accident will be liable for damages. If you accept fault or blame as your own from the very beginning of your case, you may not have a case at all. The insurance company may close your case without further investigation since you volunteered to accept fault.
Protect yourself by never admitting fault to an insurance company. Instead, wait for the company to conduct a full investigation to determine fault. You may think you were to blame for an accident when in reality there were other factors at play. A third party, such as a product manufacturer, may have contributed to your injuries, for example. Wait to discover fault through a professional investigation.
Not Going to the Doctor
A cardinal mistake many accident victims make is waiting too long to go to the hospital or failing to see a doctor at all. Even if you believe you are uninjured the day of the accident, go to a doctor for a physical exam. It may surprise you to discover that you have an injury with hidden symptoms, such as a traumatic brain injury or a herniated disk in your spine. Wait to answer questions about your injuries until you have seen a doctor. Assuming you have no injuries could hurt your chances of a successful insurance claim. An insurance company wants to see full medical documentation, including an immediate trip to the hospital after your accident.
Trusting the Insurance Claims Adjuster
The insurance claims adjuster is not on your side during a case. The adjuster works for the insurance company and will want to save the company as much money as possible. Do not trust the adjuster handling your claim to have your best interests at heart. Do not give the adjuster a recorded statement if asked. The law does not obligate you to do so and it is usually a tactic for the adjuster to obtain information to use against you. Be careful how much information you give to an adjuster; answer only the questions asked. Finally, do not accept a settlement offer from an insurance adjuster until you have run it past a personal injury lawyer.
Missing the Statute of Limitations
Every state has statutes of limitations on personal injury claims. The statute of limitations is a strict deadline for filing. For the most part, if you miss your statute of limitations, you forfeit the right to seek compensation for your injuries. The statute of limitations in Arizona is two years from the date of the accident or the date of injury discovery. If you fail to file the claims paperwork within two years, the courts will most likely bar you from recovery. Act quickly to bring a cause of action after an accident in Arizona to make sure you do not make this critical mistake.
Tackling a Complicated Claim Alone
While some personal injury cases are successful when handled pro se, or without an attorney, others need professional assistance. Hire an attorney to help with your case if it involves serious personal injuries, permanent disabilities, a loved one’s wrongful death or complications such as a liability dispute. A complicated injury case requires assistance from an attorney to succeed. Tackling a difficult claim by yourself could lead to further mistakes, such as accepting an offer that is too low. Contact a personal injury lawyer in Glendale as soon as possible to receive help on your case.