The Four Biggest Mistakes Made by Accident Victims

Being involved in a personal injury accident can be a traumatizing event. Most people injured in accidents have never gone through the process of pursuing compensation and dealing with insurance companies. Along with the stress and pain of being seriously injured, trying to file a claim can seem daunting and overwhelming. However, one of the most effective ways to avoid making common mistakes when pursuing a personal injury accident claim is to seek legal advice as soon as possible.

Your attorney plays a crucial role in handling all communication and negotiations with the insurance company. This professional support allows you to make informed decisions while focusing on your recovery. It is also important to avoid common mistakes in the days, weeks, and months after the accident. Most of these mistakes involve being more forthcoming with your attorney about your past. Being open and honest with your attorney will help your attorney save time and focus on pursuing compensation on your behalf.

It is crucial not to try to hide past car accidents from your attorney. After you pursue a claim, the other side will be interested in knowing how many accidents you have been involved in. In reality, they already know the answer or can access the information. Still, they will try to pressure you to admit you have had an accident before.

Bringing attention to previous accidents is a way to help them try to prove that you are a negligent or reckless driver. However, your attorney can demonstrate that the accidents were not your fault, or even if they were, it should not detract from the fact that the current accident that caused her injury was not your fault. You must be upfront about any past car accidents you have been involved in and do not try to hide them from your attorney.

Do not try to exaggerate your current injuries or hide injuries you have experienced in the past from your attorney. You must be upfront and honest with your attorney about injuries before or after the accident. If you saw a doctor, there should be a record that the insurance company will find. Tell your attorney about any facts that could hurt your claim now rather than having your attorney find out about it later in the middle of your case. If you lie about your injuries, the insurance company will discover you lied, and your claim could be denied.

It is also important to be honest about your income. You may try to claim you made more money before your accident, but doing so could hurt your case overall. Your past tax returns should line up with your statements about your income. You want to avoid claiming you made more money than your tax returns indicate.

Suppose you are an independent contractor or sole proprietor, or it is difficult to determine your income accurately. In that case, you should be upfront about that and work with your attorney to do so. You should also carefully represent your activity level. For example, if you can walk around your house, you should not claim that you are immobile. Some insurance companies will hire private investigators to videotape claimants. Suppose they find that you are out lifting, climbing, and walking after claiming you are not able to do that because of your injuries. In that case, it will significantly hurt your credibility and compensation claim.

Finally, it is important that you are truthful with your attorney about any drug or alcohol abuse and any past criminal history. The things you say to your attorney are protected by confidentiality, and your attorney will be able to handle these issues.

You do not want your attorney to find out that she would have challenges with alcoholism or drug use in the middle of negotiations. They may not have time to prepare a compelling legal defense. You should also tell your attorney about all of the doctors you see. Do not hide doctor visits from your attorney because they can be important information regarding your claim.

As with any personal injury claim, you may feel embarrassed about things in your past, but it is important that you do not hide them from your attorney. If you have been injured in an accident in Charlotte that was not your fault, do not hesitate to contact Arnold & Smith, PLL, to schedule a complimentary case evaluation.