What are the Most Common Mistakes People Make in Serious Injury Claims?

Many people unintentionally make mistakes in the moments following an accident.

Above all, the biggest mistake people make in serious injury claims is failing to partner with a Brandon personal injury lawyer. Victims without lawyers receive only 20% of the money insurance companies pay as compensation to accident victims. People with lawyers get the rest. Before a lawyer has a chance to get involved, many people make three mistakes that seriously compromise their claims when those claims go to court.

These unintentional mistakes are serious setbacks. But a good football team can overcome a few mistakes and win the game, and a good Brandon personal injury lawyer can do the same thing. To a lawyer, “winning the game” means obtaining maximum compensation for serious injuries. This compensation usually includes money for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.

Declining Medical Treatment

Head injuries may be the most common serious injuries in falls, motor vehicle crashes, and other such incidents. Head injuries may also be the biggest reason many victims decline medical treatment at the scene.

The brain conceals its own injuries. That’s why athletes with concussions ask their coaches to put them right back in the game. Furthermore, although serious symptoms don’t set in until later, initial head injury symptoms include disorientation and confusion. Therefore, many of these victims aren’t thinking clearly.

Declining medical treatment at the scene has physical consequences. Just like only a Brandon personal injury lawyer can properly determine your legal options, only a doctor can determine how badly you are, or aren’t, injured. If you don’t talk to a lawyer, you will not know how much compensation you are entitled to. If you do not see a doctor, you will not get better.

This act has legal consequences as well. When victims decline treatment at the scene, insurance company lawyers usually argue that their injury claims are exaggerated.

Speaking with an Insurance Company Representative

We mentioned the disorienting effect of head injuries above. That is one reason not to speak to an insurance company representative. Victims do not know what they are saying and do not clearly recall events.

Additionally, telephone adjusters seem to be affable types, like Jake from State Farm or that guy with the ostrich in Liberty Mutual commercials. But insurance companies instruct these adjusters to extract damaging information from victims and use it against them later.

We should say that many people must immediately report accidents to their own insurance companies. If that is the case, provide no details. Simply say that you were injured, and you will follow up with more information later.

The “don’t say much” rule also applies to doctors and other emergency responders. Obey their instructions and answer their questions, but do not volunteer any information.

Work With a Diligent Hillsborough County Attorney

Be careful what you say and do after an accident. For a confidential consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Brandon, contact Carman & Finegan, P.A. The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we start working for you.