The Top 4 Mistakes People Make With Their Personal Injury Case
Brian O Sutter
Personal Injury
When you're injured in an accident that isn't your fault, it can create a frustrating situation that forces you to deal with physical and mental recoveries alongside a heavy financial burden. That financial burden is the most frustrating part - your injuries were caused by someone else's actions, and now you're left paying for them. That's why Florida personal injury law exists. By seeking financial compensation for your injuries, you can start taking steps towards getting the kind of restitution you deserve. This removal of the financial burden lets you focus on your physical healing.
However, Florida personal injury law isn't always as simple as we would hope. Getting help from a professional Florida personal injury lawyer is important, and can be instrumental in success with your personal injury case. However, it's important that you understand a few common mistakes that people make regarding their cases. These can sometimes make it far more difficult to get the restitution you're owed.
With that in mind, here are a few things to avoid when you've been injured in an accident.
- Failure To Get Medical Attention - Injuries don't always manifest themselves immediately. You may not even feel sore after an accident, but the fact is that you could still be suffering from an injury. Florida PIP coverage requires that you see a medical professional within a week of your accident, or else you'll lose the right to get compensation through them. And if filing a personal injury case, ignoring medical attention immediately means you'll have a harder time showing that the injuries were caused by the accident.
- Procrastination - Delaying medical attention is detrimental to your case, and so is any other type of procrastination. From contacting an attorney to getting copies of insurance information and police reports, every step that you take to get compensation needs to be taken as soon as possible. You should always heal physically to begin with, but never put off the process of getting compensation. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to prove your case to the courts.
- Accepting Settlements Immediately - One group that won't always procrastinate is an insurance company or the other party's legal team. You may be offered a settlement quickly after your accident occurs - sometimes just a couple of days. While these may occasionally be a fair offer, it's much more common that they are a lowball amount just to get you to settle quickly. This eliminates your chance to seek further restitution, and may not be enough to pay for all of your medical bills. Don't accept a settlement immediately without showing it to your lawyer.
- The DIY Mindset - A personal injury lawyer will be your greatest ally in the weeks and months following an accident. It's common for people to assume that they can handle the process of seeking compensation on their own, and when they do it often leads to major issues including prolonged cases, lower than normal settlement offers, or even a refusal of settlement entirely. The experience of a good Florida personal injury lawyer is invaluable and will ensure that you get the best possible outcome from your case. The internet is a poor substitute for professional legal advice, which is why you always need to speak to the pros.
The bottom line is that a recovery can be a long, difficult road to travel. The mistakes above can create major setbacks on that journey, and should be avoided at all costs. Speaking to a good personal injury attorney in Florida can help you avoid most of them, but being careful with your actions is the key to getting the compensation you deserve.