Do you know anyone who has had to seek medical treatment after suffering a personal injury?
Unfortunately, tens of millions of people across the U.S. experience this scenario every year. After an injury that forces you to take time off work and get help, you don’t want to have to pay out of pocket for things you need.
A personal injury lawyer can help you get the money you require for lost wages, treatments, and any future help you’ll need due to your injuries. But you must work with, rather than against, your personal injury lawyer. The legal professional you hire will work tirelessly to help get you the compensation you deserve after an accident leaves you injured.
You’ll make their job harder, however, if you make any of the following five mistakes.
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Waiting Too Long to File a Personal Injury Claim
If injured in a car accident or another incident, you can’t wait too long before filing a claim. Your jurisdiction will determine the deadline to pursue legal action, so you don’t want to miss those deadlines. That’s one reason you should retain the services of a personal injury lawyer immediately. A legal professional will know what deadlines are in play, advise you of your options, and help you file a claim before it’s too late.
Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may face a long road to recovery. It’ll be harder if you wait too long and aren’t able to pursue compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, and lost income. Any needless delay could jeopardize your chances of a successful outcome.
Failing to Seek Proper Medical Care
Are you the sort of person who deals with aches and pains rather than go to a doctor? You can’t afford to do that after filing a personal injury claim. It’s important to go to all doctor’s appointments, attend all physical therapy treatments, and do other things required.
It’s rare to see insurance companies willingly and readily pay out the requested compensation sums. And if you don’t take medical care seriously, the insurer might use that to question the extent of your injuries. So, you can make matters harder for your lawyer by not doing your part.
Ignoring Your Lawyer’s Advice
Another mistake to avoid is ignoring your lawyer’s advice. Yes, you have the right to make whatever decisions you want. But don’t dismiss your lawyer’s recommendations. Your lawyer will equip you with the information you need to make informed decisions.
Get their input and factor what they say into your decisions. Failing to do so could cost you big time. So, if you take time off work because of your personal injury, the last thing you should be doing is engaging in any activities that are physically taxing. That could work against you and make it hard — if not impossible — for your personal injury lawyer to get you a good outcome. Ask questions when you’re in doubt, and take your lawyer’s advice seriously.
Accepting the First Offer Made By the Insurer
Yet another mistake to avoid is accepting the first offer tabled by the insurance company. It’s almost a certainty that the first offer will be of the lowball variety. You might get sick and tired of waiting to move on with your life, but don’t blindly accept an offer without asking your lawyer for the pros and cons. If your lawyer doesn’t believe the insurer will budge, they may recommend rejecting it and going to court. You don’t want to accept any offer without knowing what’s at stake, and your personal injury lawyer is the perfect resource for the relevant details.
Negotiating With the Insurance Company Independently
You’re also asking for trouble if you try to negotiate with an insurance company without your lawyer’s involvement. You should leave such negotiations to your lawyer. They’ll know how much to request and how to deal with an insurer intent on paying as little as possible. Of course, they’ll keep you in the loop, which is vital. If you try to help your own cause by going toe-to-toe with the insurer, you’ll likely end up with the short end of the stick.
These are five things to avoid if you don’t want to complicate things for your personal injury lawyer. A lot is at stake, so avoid doing anything that reduces your odds of success.
