Mistakes That Can Reduce Your Settlement Amount
When you are involved in an accident, the last thing you want to do is find yourself unable to pay the very expensive bills that might result from the accident. Unfortunately, there are some mistakes you can make in any personal injury case that can lead to the defendant arguing that your settlement should be reduced or that you should not receive a settlement offer at all.
Refusing Medical Assistance
Never refuse medical assistance even if you believe you cannot afford it. If you do not receive medical treatment, the defense might argue that you must not have been very injured in the first place. Also, you may be more injured than you realize. You may think that the incident did not hurt you very badly until you later discover that your back is hurting. Also, you will need the medical documents produced through your medical checkup and treatment to prove that you are really injured.
Not hiring an attorney can be a major mistake because you might miscalculate your damages. You may find that you are very eager to receive a settlement so you can move on with your life and pay for your medical bills. However, you might not take into consideration how much you will have to spend on medications and medical equipment. You'll always want to seek the largest settlement possible so you have a buffer.
Not Thoroughly Documenting Your Accident
Regardless of the type of accident you have suffered, there is usually a place where you can report it. For example, if you are injured at work, you should report this to your employer. While there is a lot of documentation you can do yourself, official documentation is the most valuable because your account of the events will be considered more biased than official documents.
Not Realizing That You Might Be Spied On
Insurance providers will spy on you to look for evidence that you are not as injured as you claim. They may drive by your home, monitor your online activity, and speak with your coworkers and friends. Any evidence they gather may be used as an excuse to deny your claim.
Saying You're Sorry
Be careful with any statements you make unless you have had your attorney look over your statements. Anything you say can be misconstrued in a manner that will allow the other party to reduce your settlement or offer no settlement at all.
If you have recently been in an accident, contact a personal injury law firm, such as Grall Law Group, for legal guidance.