By their very nature, accidents generally happen when you least expect them. This explains why it is very easy to be caught off-guard and make mistakes that might jeopardize your chances of getting a favorable settlement. Unfortunately, any error you make can give the wrongdoer an upper hand in the case, increasing the risk of losing your claim. Therefore, you may want to know what to avoid when filing your lawsuit to help you recover the most favorable payment possible. The following are some of the mistakes that might make you fail to recover an agreeable payment in your personal injury claim.
Failing to Get Professional Legal Representation
Failing to get professional legal representation is a serious mistake that potentially puts you at risk of recovering insufficient or no financial compensation. You may think that you only need to recount the events of the accident in court to get payment. Unfortunately, getting compensation might not be that easy. The wrongdoer may present a different version of the story, complicating your case.
You need to provide compelling evidence linking the defendant to your accident in such a case. An experienced lawyer dealing with personal injury cases will help you gather documentation to support your claim. They also present the judge with evidence supporting your version of the events, enabling them to see the injustice you suffered and award compensation.
Accepting a Settlement Without Proper Consideration
Insurance companies dispatch their team of investigators to the accident scene to conduct investigations after an accident. Therefore, there is a possibility that they will be aware of the value of your claim by the time you file. The insurance company may want to settle the matter quickly if they feel that they could lose more money if you file a case in court. Thus, they might pressure you into settling to avoid a court battle. Doing so might be a big mistake because you may not be able to pursue further payment after that.
So, if the payment you receive is not enough to pay your medical bills and other expenses, you will have to pay them out of pocket. This is why you should not yield to pressure when insurance agents contact you, trying to convince you to accept their offer. Instead, contact your lawyer to evaluate the settlement offer and determine whether it's favorable. They will take time to evaluate your damages to know the amount of money you stand to get. Your legal advisor will then negotiate for you, helping ensure that you get a favorable payment.
If you make the errors above, you might not get the settlement you're entitled to. Therefore, you need to avoid them to get an acceptable payment. Most importantly, seek the guidance of a professional personal injury lawyer to help you take the right steps.
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