If you鈥檝e been hurt in an accident, you likely have a lot on your mind. Between doctor鈥檚 visits, missed work, and the stress of dealing with insurance, things can become overwhelming in little time at all. The thing is, if you鈥檙e filing a claim, you need to be proactive about protecting your rights. A big reason for that is the fact that insurance companies aren鈥檛 interested in handing out a lot of money; they鈥檒l look for any reason to deny or reduce your settlement. With that in mind, you need to learn about what it takes to strengthen personal injury claims and put yourself in the best position to get the compensation you鈥檙e entitled to. Read on for a few personal injury case tips that can help bolster your efforts.
If you need legal help, we鈥檙e here to guide you through your case. Call 精品麻豆today at (516) 399-2364.
To strengthen personal injury claims means to round up as much strong evidence as possible. Having solid proof of what happened means it will be much more difficult for the opposing insurance company to argue against your claim. Collecting and preserving your case鈥檚 evidence involves certain steps and actions, depending on the amount of time since your accident:
If you can, document the scene of the accident right away. Use your phone to take pictures of your injuries, property damage, road conditions, wet floors, broken stairs, or anything else that seems relevant and could help prove how the accident happened. If there are witnesses around, ask for their names and phone numbers so you (or your attorney) can contact them later for a statement. Having confirmation of the accident from a neutral third party can make a huge difference.
Depending on the situation, you might need to report it to the police, store management, your boss, or someone else. If that鈥檚 the case, make sure you get a copy of that report. In a similar sense, it also helps to immediately write down what happened in a notebook, including details like the time of day that the accident occurred, the weather, and any conversations you had. Your memory will fade over time, and it won鈥檛 take long to forget potentially important details.
Your medical records will be some of the most important pieces of evidence for your case as the days and weeks pass following your accident. Save copies of all test results, doctor鈥檚 notes, prescriptions, and treatment plans. If you鈥檝e had to pay anything for medications, equipment, rides to appointments, or anything else out-of-pocket, keep those receipts as well.
Furthermore, it helps to keep a journal of your recovery and how your injury impacts your daily life. Make notes about your symptoms, pain levels, and anything else that might be relevant. All of these details can be powerful evidence when you need to prove the extent of your suffering.
Strong evidence can mean the difference between a denied claim and a full settlement. The more you have to support your case, the better.
One of the biggest mistakes made by injury victims is putting off treatment or ignoring their doctor鈥檚 directives. Even if you feel better within a few days, you should always see a doctor after an accident and listen to their recommendations. If you forgo treatment, it gives the insurance company a way to argue that you weren鈥檛 really hurt. The longer you wait to see a doctor, the easier it is for them to make that claim or even say that your injuries came from something else. Skipping even a single appointment will give the agency something to use against you.
Some injuries take time to manifest and appear. A medical exam can catch forms of 鈥渉idden鈥 trauma, such as whiplash, a concussion, and . Don鈥檛 be afraid to seek a second opinion, either. In fact, doing so may further strengthen your case because it shows you鈥檙e serious about your health. Keep copies of all of your medical bills, prescription costs, therapy sessions, and anything else related to your treatment that will create a paper trail.
You鈥檒l likely get a call from an insurance adjuster shortly after your accident. They might sound friendly and concerned over the phone, but don鈥檛 be fooled; their job is to save the company they work for from losing too much money and ensure it pays you as little as possible, and they have several ways of doing that.
One of these involves getting recorded statements from you so that they have something that can be used against you later. You鈥檙e not required to permit them to record you. A simple apology is enough to imply that you contributed to the accident, and it can be twisted into an admission of guilt. Be careful with your words, or better yet, don鈥檛 talk to the insurance adjuster at all; direct them to speak with your lawyer.
Another common trick is to look for ways to downplay your injuries. Besides using gaps in your treatment as an excuse to reduce or deny a claim, they may even take it so far as to check your social media accounts. Avoid posting anything about your accident so they don鈥檛 have anything to use against you.
Lastly, if the insurance company is rushing to settle, it鈥檚 because they know your case is worth more than they鈥檙e willing to give. Don鈥檛 take their first offer; chances are incredibly high that it will not be nearly enough to cover your costs, which could include hefty medical bills in the future if you need long-term treatment.
Seeking compensation after an accident can be overwhelming, but keeping the right personal injury case tips in mind can make a huge difference in the outcome of your claim. If you have strong evidence, follow your doctor鈥檚 advice, and avoid common insurance traps, you鈥檒l be in a much better position to argue your case alongside a team of reputable attorneys.
精品麻豆has been fighting for injury victims in New York City for years. Our team knows how to take on insurance companies to fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (516) 399-2364.
