Top Mistakes NY PI Lawyers Say Could Hurt Your Injury Case
While no one anticipates being involved in an accident, sometimes accidents are beyond you. This lack of power to prevent it extends to not having the ability to determine the impact the accident will have on you. No wonder that getting involved in an accident can be confusing and very stressful.
One starts to think about finances to foot medical bills. You’re tempted to think about how your life will change if you don’t recover. All these can take an emotional toll on you besides the pain that comes with the injuries.
At this desperate moment, you’d likely think of getting in touch with your personal injury attorney. It’s a wise move. One, because the attorney will help you claim reimbursement from your insurer on the medical expenses you’ll incur.
Secondly, the attorney will help you understand your rights as a victim and guide you into putting forward a reasonable claim.
Mark you, personal injury experts can even help you get the state to compensate you if need arises. If you think that’s impractical, remember that New York City spent $1.45 billion in the 2023 financial year to compensate 13,227 claims and lawsuits against it.
Sadly, without the right information, compensation can only remain written. You may fail to get it and have all your fears confirmed. This is not to scare you but to warn you of mistakes you shouldn’t make.
So, here is the list of mistakes you should avoid to strengthen your personal injury case.
1. Negotiating with Insurers Without Legal Representation
Before you negotiate compensation with your insurer, please get in touch with your NY PI lawyers.
Presenting information and details to the insurer without legal representation empowers the insurance agent to extract some information they can use to undermine your claim. The insurance agent can misconstrue even the most innocent comments to your disadvantage.
Speaking to the insurer without legal representation could give way for the insurer to lure you into accepting a quick, low settlement offer.
On the contrary, consulting your personal injury lawyer before getting in touch with your insurance agent will help you understand your rights. It will give you the knowledge you need to converse with the insurance company effectively.
The proper approach increases your chances of getting reasonable compensation. Based on how complex your case is, your personal injury attorney can communicate and negotiate with the insurer on your behalf.
2. Delay in Seeking Medical Attention
The first mistake that can seriously hurt your injury case is delaying seeking medical care. While it is okay for you to feel overwhelmed in the immediate aftermath of an accident, don’t delay in seeking medical attention.
In New York, a city that happens to be one of the most language-diverse cities in the world, delaying seeking medical care can badly hurt your case. Whether your motivation is to avoid incurring unplanned medical bills or a toughing-it-out strategy, it is a mistake that your NY PI lawyers warn against.
Instead, seek medical attention immediately. It will have many benefits for your injury case. One of the benefits is that it will ensure your injuries are diagnosed and effectively managed.
As a result, you can avoid facing more complications that would arise from delayed medical help. Two, it will result in a documented record of your injuries, something you need to file an injury claim on time. A record of your injuries will also form the base.
Waiting too long before you seek medical intervention will give your insurance company the impression that your injuries aren’t serious. The insurance company could also argue that the injuries are not connected to the accident, and this is already damaging your claim’s credibility.
3. Failing to Document the Accident Scene
Your argument is as strong as the evidence you supply to back it up. This means that failure to gather the evidence you need to prove liability and injury can be a step backward. Avoid getting carried away in the heat of the moment, and at least take photos of the accident scene. Capture photo evidence of your injuries.
Take photos of the damaged property. Also, record the contributing factors. You could take photos of the bad road conditions or signage.
Also, be keen to collect contact details from eyewitnesses, as this will serve as evidence for your claim. Police reports are also vital details that could win your compensation in an injury claim.
So once the police have reported the incident, get yourself a copy of the report. This report is crucial because it often contains important facts about the circumstances of the accident, and this could help establish liability.
With detailed evidence, the chances of the insurance company refuting your claim are low.
Conclusion
Navigating the aftermath of an accident is complex. It is both physically and emotionally challenging. But by avoiding the mistakes described in this piece, you can protect your rights.
You can position yourself better for a reasonable and successful claim. Keep in mind that every decision you make during this journey is weighty and can either propel or impede your success.
The safest way to get started is by consulting an expert personal injury lawyer to guide you through the claims process. With a specialist by your side, you can avoid some pitfalls that you wouldn’t know of if you were not an expert.
So, understand the ins and outs of personal injury cases so you can make more informed decisions today and in the future.