Nowadays, car accidents are unfortunately common, but getting a claim as a victim is challenging. It looks easy to file a complaint and obtain compensation for the loss. But you are far from reality because most of the time, the settlement gets denied or delayed. Generally, it happens when you make inevitable mistakes, making you lose the claim.
Therefore, it is mandatory to understand those common mistakes and try to prevent them. Whenever an accident happens, you must appoint an Atlanta car accident lawyer immediately before doing anything. A legal expert knows better about the next steps that you should take after the accident. You can trust your attorney for guidance related to your case.
Your lawyer can help avoid mistakes and keep your case on the right track. But only some know the importance of hiring an attorney, and they lose their case. This guide will help you know your mistakes and prevent them from obtaining a claim immediately.
Call the Cops
Many people panic during an accident, and they forget or neglect to call the cops for further investigation. It is the biggest mistake if you are doing the same. Whenever an accident happens, it is mandatory to report your case to the police. They must know what happened at the accident site and let them investigate more.
In many cases, the police can help in the settlement process without dragging it to court. They can gather evidence, talk to witnesses in the same spot, and make decisions. Even if you hire a lawyer, the police can present your case legally and proceed further for the settlement.
Prepare Documentation of the Accident Scene
It is better to take pictures of where the accident happened as evidence. You should also document all the injuries and gather medical bills. If an insurance company is involved, you must contact them and consider them your witnesses. The court will trust the visual evidence and support your settlement requirement from the guilty party.
Documentation mistakes are standard, as many people must remember to do so. For a successful settlement, you must take care of the documentation you create during the accident. Your lawyer can also help you with the documents and support you entirely in court.
Get Immediate Medical Help
If you are badly injured in an accident, you should immediately rush to the nearby hospital to get medical help. Many people start fighting on the road and forget about their health. But such a delay can worsen your injuries, and you will get treatment timely.
Later, you need to spend more money on your treatment, which will not be considered in the settlement. But if you want a claim for your medical bills, seeking medical attention immediately after the accident is necessary. Ensure to gather all the medical bills from your doctor that you can show as evidence to the legal authorities.
Avoid Giving Statements to Anyone
Insurance companies try to record and misuse your statement for the claim denial. They can cleverly convince you to give an inappropriate statement and free themselves to pay any amount to the victim.
But you can avoid this mistake by not giving your statement to anyone. You can neglect all the offers or deals you get at the crime scene. You can share the accident details with your lawyer and trust him to get justice. Your lawyer knows how to use your actual statement to win the case and get a settlement claim.
Appoint a Qualified and Experienced Attorney
Many people try to handle the complicated accident by themselves and do not hire a lawyer to support their case. Some people refrain from doing a background check on the lawyer and appoint any random individual. It is mandatory to check the qualifications and experience of the attorney before hiring them.
You must determine all the qualities you need in the lawyer to win the case and obtain the claim. You need a reliable and experienced legal expert who can help you with your case thoroughly and let you get justice. Therefore, do your research before hiring a legal individual for your case.
Not Settle for Less
Many people agree for less, and they settle immediately after the accident. It is essential to check all your losses carefully and never agree to less. You need the settlement claim you deserve; hence, you should not compromise.
You may get a quick settlement offer from another party. It is your choice whether to accept it or not. You can agree to the claim if you are satisfied with the negotiation. Otherwise, you can stick to the settlement claim you deserve for your losses after the accident.
Stop Sharing the Accident Details on Media Platforms
Insurance companies can do anything to save money, and they can scroll your media accounts to get clues regarding the accident or your statement. It is better to avoid posting pictures of your accident on your media accounts, as the insurance company can misuse it.
You must be careful while posting any new post after the accident. Everyone has eyes on you, and it is better to stay cautious. You can lose your settlement claim if you post content that shows no injury or loss. You should avoid using your social accounts to stay safe and boost your chances of obtaining a claim.
Final Thoughts
If you are struggling to get car accident claims, you must realize your mistakes. Due to the reasons mentioned, your journey to get a claim is complicated. There are chances of delay or denial if you repeat the common mistakes.
It is better to follow the tips mentioned in this guide and avoid mistakes as much as possible. You can simplify the settlement process if you know what exactly you should do immediately after the accident. Be careful while talking to any random person; you can ruin your evidence and lose your case.