Naturally, one is overwhelmed after getting injured, either from an accident or another terrible incident. The immediate consequences might be unclear, and it’s simple to make errors that could harm your health and any legal actions you might want to seek. Avoiding typical errors can help guarantee a more natural recovery and preserve your rights in the event you elect to pursue payment.
Most Often Made Errors Following an Injury Are Listed Below
1. Not Seeking Medical Help
Immediately, not obtaining immediate medical care is among the worst errors following an injury. It’s imperative to see a doctor to determine the severity of the damage, even if you don’t think the injury is bad. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal bleeding, could worsen over time even if they don’t show symptoms immediately. A medical expert can help diagnose injuries, record your condition, and prescribe treatment. Moreover, because it establishes a medical record of your injuries, getting medical care right away helps support any future personal injury claims.
2. Not Informing the Event
Failing to inform the correct parties, whether it’s a car accident, a slip and fall, or a workplace injury, is a mistake that could complicate your claim. Call the police for vehicle accidents; for workplace accidents, report to your employer right away. Reporting the event builds an official record, which is crucial for insurance claims and any possible legal action you may pursue. Furthermore, it might support your rights if there is disagreement on the cause or circumstances of the injury.
3. Not Writing Down the Occurrence and Your Wounds
Following an injury, documentation is essential. Proving the gravity of your injuries or the conditions surrounding the accident becomes challenging in the absence of relevant evidence. You ought to record:
- Photographs: Take images of the accident scene, your injuries, and any property damage, for instance, a damaged car following a vehicle accident.
- Get witness: Get the contact information and request their version of events if there are any.
- Medical Records: Keep track of all medical visits, diagnoses, therapies, medications, and invoices about your injury.
Should you choose to submit a personal injury suit, this evidence might help to strengthen your argument.
4. Accepting the First Settlement Offer
Usually, fast claim settlement is the goal for insurance companies; hence, their first offer may appear to be a relief. Usually, though, it falls way short of what you deserve. Insurance providers try to reduce their payouts; their initial offer often does not reflect the actual worth of your injuries. Before agreeing to any settlement, consult a personal injury attorney to assess whether it is reasonable or if you should hold out for a higher sum. Accepting an early settlement could also prevent you from collecting damages for long-term harm, including pain and suffering, future medical costs, or lost income.
This article was written by Alla Tenina. Alla is one of the best bankruptcy attorneys in Los Angeles, California, and the founder of Tenina Law. She has experience in bankruptcies, real estate planning, and complex tax matters. The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This website contains links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser; the ABA and its members do not recommend or endorse the contents of the third-party sites.