Common Personal Injury Mistakes to Avoid When Filing a Claim

Mistakes happen, but when they happen during your personal injury claim, they can damage or even cost you your case altogether. A primary mistake you might make immediately is to think you can handle your case on your own. Unless you are a trained attorney who specializes in personal injury law in Florida, you’ll need the help of an experienced Florida personal injury lawyer at Searcy Denney.

The Most Common Mistakes You Can Make During the Personal Injury Claims Process

Many mistakes are relatively simple and easily remedied, such as forgetting a dentist appointment or missing a neighborhood HOA meeting. But errors made during your personal injury claims process can be devastating. Some of the most common include:

• Thinking you Can’t Afford a Lawyer. Unlike most types of lawyers whose fees are charged up-front on an hourly basis, each experienced Florida personal injury lawyer at Searcy Denney works on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay or owe a penny until and if you receive cash compensation in the form of a settlement or a trial verdict.
• Not Calling the Police. After an accident during which you suffered injuries, you should call 911. The accident report generated by the police officer contains all sorts of relevant details, which is always a good starting point for your claim.
• Speaking to an Insurance Company. In particular, never make a recorded statement to an insurance company or sign any type of release of claims. They are very good at swooping in during your most vulnerable time and talking you into an undervalued settlement amount with the promise of quick cash-in-hand. Instead, contact a Florida personal injury lawyer at Searcy Denney first and let us handle the insurance company.
• Waiting Too Long to File Your Claim. Georgia’s statute of limitations only allows for two years from the date of the injury or death for a claim to be filed. When you or your loved one are recovering from injuries, many of those months are spent in hospitals and rehab rather than taking care of the necessary paperwork to start your personal injury claim. It’s best to contact us immediately so we can focus on your claim while you focus on your recovery.
• Waiting to See a Doctor. Go to the ER or schedule a doctor’s appointment immediately. Failure to do so may be interpreted as an acknowledgment that your injuries are not serious. Furthermore, be sure to document every single interaction with any medical professional.
• Not Accounting for All of Your Damages. Accounting for every aspect of your damages ensures you will be receiving additional compensation for future related injuries. Remember that some injuries do not reveal themselves for days, weeks, or even months. If you do not consider both the short- and long-term effects of your injuries on your medical costs, ability to continue working, and mental health, you may find yourself needing further compensation after you have already signed off on a settlement amount. You will not get another bite at this particular apple. Make sure an experienced Florida personal injury lawyer reviews your claim and performs an analysis of your current and future expected damages before you even review a settlement offer.

Let a Florida Personal Injury Lawyer Help You Avoid Common Mistakes With Your Personal Injury Claim

The personal injury insurance and legal claims processes are complex and time-consuming. It’s important to let a Florida personal injury lawyer at Searcy Denney represent you in these matters to avoid making critical, life-changing mistakes. We offer a free consultation and work on a contingency fee basis. Contact us today if you need our help.