Filing a personal injury claim requires more than just presenting facts to the insurance company. You need to ensure there are no mistakes in the process, no matter how small the error might look. A slight mistake can result in irreversible damage, which can even deny you the claim entirely. Fully understanding several injury settlement tactics to avoid when filing your personal injury claims increases the chances of the process being flawless.
Avoid Representing Yourself
You will be dealing with a claims adjuster or other representatives from the insurance company. These are people who understand the necessary laws, and they can use this knowledge to compromise your claim. They also have good negotiating skills and use their experience to corner you into an unfair compensation. To avoid this, you should avoid representing yourself, and instead hire a competent personal injury attorney from the very first step of the process. You do not need to have any money to hire a lawyer since, unlike in most cases, personal injury attorneys are paid from the compensation paid out. These lawyers charge a contingency fee, which is a pre-agreed percentage of the amount to be paid.
Do Not Exaggerate Your Injury
Many people exaggerate their injuries while filing their claims hoping to get more significant compensations. This is a grave mistake which, if discovered, will result in the cancellation of your claim. Being honest further makes the process easier since you do not have to struggle remembering the lies you had told in a previous conversation. Honesty should also apply when explaining to your lawyer about the accident and its implications.
Do not hand over your medical records until in the final stages.
It is unnecessary to give out your medical records, especially in the initial stages of the process. The claims adjuster can do an investigation without your medical records. Handing these records during the initial stages can result in problems, significantly if your medical condition changes. You will not have a chance to change the documents you had submitted in the initial stages, and as a result, it is advisable to wait until the final stages. By waiting, you shall get an opportunity to present well-updated medical records that capture every extent of your injuries.
Do Not Contravene Your Lawyer
The primary reason why you hire a lawyer is to help you in filing your claim effectively. Consequently, it is vital to do everything exactly as instructed by your lawyer. Amongst all the people you shall be dealing with, your lawyer is the only person who wants you to get the best compensation possible. You both share the same interest and as a result, he or she will always work towards ensuring you are treated fairly. With a good lawyer from a reliable law firm, you can be assured of a successful claim application. Therefore, by avoiding the highlighted mistakes while filing a personal injury claim, you will improve your chances of getting the best compensation possible.
