There are countless reasons why it’s in your best interests to contact an attorney as soon as possible after a car accident. One of the reasons is that an attorney can begin guiding you through the steps of the legal process to ensure that you don’t make any of these mistakes that could hurt your car accident claim:
Using social media.
If you are involved in any type of personal injury case, it’s recommended that you avoid posting on social media. Why? Insurance adjusters will be looking for any evidence that they can find to use against you, and they may find something of value in one of your social media posts. For instance, let’s say you are posting about going out with friends and having a good time. The insurance adjuster may try to use this to prove that you do not deserve pain and suffering compensation because the injuries are not affecting the quality of your life.
Waiting too long to get medical treatment.
Your first priority after a car accident should be seeking medical attention for your injuries. The longer that you wait, the more this mistake could impact your claim. If you wait a few days before seeing a doctor, the insurance adjuster may say that there is no way to prove that the injuries you sustained were actually caused in the accident. Don’t let this mistake affect the amount of compensation you are awarded—see a doctor right after an accident.
Not following the doctor’s advice.
After seeking treatment, it’s imperative that you follow the doctor’s orders, whatever they may be. If a doctor prescribes a medication, get the prescription filled and take the medication as directed. If he asks you to return for a follow-up, schedule one right away. If you choose not to follow the doctor’s orders, the insurance adjuster may say that you are obviously not as injured as you are claiming to be.
Forgetting to collect evidence.
You may be in a hurry to leave the scene of the accident so you can carry on with your day, but don’t leave before you have gathered crucial evidence. If you can, take pictures of property damage, debris in the road, and any traffic signs or signals that are nearby. Even if something seems insignificant—like tire skid marks on the road—take a photo of it. This may not seem important at the time, but the photos can be used to recreate the accident and prove that the other party was responsible. Without this evidence, it can be difficult to recover compensation if the other party is denying fault.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, contact the attorneys at Reisch Law Firm today. Our team will offer you honest legal advice and guide you through the process of filing a personal injury claim. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 303-291-0555 or filling out this online form.
