The last thing you want to do after an accident is risk losing your chance of recovering compensation for your injuries. In many cases, the actions you take or don’t take immediately following an accident can affect your ability to recover financial compensation from the at-fault party. That’s why you must understand what you should and shouldn’t do after an accident.
At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, we can evaluate your case and help you establish who was at fault and how much compensation you deserve. Our Atlanta personal injury attorneys can handle all aspects of your case, from the initial complaint to a settlement conference and trial, if necessary. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a lawyer from our firm, call (470) 323-8779 or fill out this form online.
If you’ve been hurt in an accident, here are some of the most common mistakes that can cause problems with your claim:
Failing To Seek Medical Treatment Right Away
Many people fail to see a doctor right after an accident because they don’t think their injuries are serious and want to save money on medical bills. This is a major mistake because it can give the insurance company grounds to argue that your injuries were not caused by accident or were not serious. You may think that you are fine and just a little sore, but many injuries cause internal bleeding or bruising that can get worse over time. Seek medical attention and then follow up with your doctor as needed.
Not Following Your Doctor’s Orders
Another common problem is when people do not follow their doctor’s orders for treatment. Suppose you are asked to go for physical therapy, but you stop going for several weeks. In that case, this can be seen as a sign that you did not take your recovery seriously or did not actually need physical therapy in the first place.
Not Documenting the Scene of the Accident
You could lose out on valuable evidence if you don’t take photos of the scene of an accident or gather witness contact information. The other party could also alter the scene of the crash by moving vehicles or cleaning up debris before police arrive.
Waiting Too Long To File A Georgia Personal Injury Claim
You have two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit in Georgia. But waiting until the last minute could jeopardize your ability to recover compensation if there are issues with filing paperwork or serving notice on defendants.
Not Keeping Track of Expenses
When dealing with any type of insurance claim, it’s essential to keep all your receipts. These documents prove the extent of your damages to the claims adjuster so you can get a fair settlement. If there are elements of your claim that aren’t covered by receipts, such as pain and suffering, make sure to keep detailed notes about their impact on your life.
Admitting Fault for the Accident
Even if you believe that you may have played a part in causing the accident, it is important not to say so at the accident scene if you are not sure. The insurance company can use your statement against you in court and argue that you were responsible for more than 50% of the wreck, reducing the amount of compensation you can receive or even preventing them from paying out anything at all.
Signing Documents
Insurance adjusters will often contact you and ask you to sign a release or other documents related to your claim. Don’t do it! Signing these documents may waive your rights to pursue a claim in the future. If the insurance adjuster contacts you, tell them that you will get back to them after consulting our injury attorneys.
Posting About Your Accident on Social Media
It may seem harmless to post a photo or update about your accident on Facebook, Instagram, or another website. However, posting this information can lead to damaging consequences because insurance companies will try to use any information that works against you in your case. If they find out that you have posted anything contradictory to what you have stated in your claim, they can use it against you. The same goes for any comments people make on your posts and photos.
Concealing Information from an Injury Attorney
It’s essential to be honest with your Atlanta accident attorney. Even if you were in part responsible for the accident, you need to admit it and take responsibility. If you don’t, it will be used as ammunition against you in court. Likewise, don’t lie about any of your injuries. Don’t try to dramatize or embellish the facts surrounding your accident.
This can easily backfire, resulting in the opposite effect of what you want—it can make your attorney less credible in the eyes of the jury by leading them to believe that they have been dishonest with them and are trying to distort the facts to serve their own agenda.
Consult with our Competent Personal Injury Attorneys in Atlanta
Medical bills start piling up quickly when you suffer from a severe personal injury accident caused by negligence. Your physical pain and emotional suffering are often compounded by worry over whether you will ever be able to work again. There is no easy solution to this problem. You cannot turn back time and undo the accident that caused your injuries. But you can pursue compensation from those responsible for your damages so that you do not have to pay for someone else’s mistake on your own dime.
At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, we know how heartbreaking it can be when a loved one suffers catastrophic injuries. Whether you are the family breadwinner or a child whose potential has been cut short, the tragedy may affect the entire family for decades. Our injury and accident attorneys are dedicated to helping clients seek maximum compensation for their losses so they can begin rebuilding their lives. We provide free consultations for all prospective clients so that there is no cost to learn about your legal rights and options. Call us today at (470) 323-8779 or complete this online form to schedule your appointment with our exceptional injury and accident attorneys.
