Being injured in an accident can be a traumatic experience that brings unexpected expenses that are likely to strain your finances. You may find yourself seriously injured, in shock, and disorientated after the accident, leaving you prone to make mistakes when filing your personal injury claim.
These mistakes can significantly influence the outcome of your personal injury claim and the value of your settlement. It is, therefore, very important to carefully consider your actions after the accident to try to avoid disputes against your claim. It may also be a good idea to enlist the help of a personal injury lawyer that can guide and advise you.
Here are a few tips to consider that may help strengthen your personal injury claim:
- Report the Accident Immediately: It is important to notify the relevant authorities of the accident and your injuries immediately, regardless of severity. This ensures that an official report of the accident exists that can be referred to when filing your claim. For example, if you have been in a car accident you should immediately call the police. The responding officer will assess the scene of the accident to compile an official report that will contain important details of the incident, how it happened, and who was involved. This report may help to connect your injuries to the accident and back up your claim.
- Keep Thorough Records: It is important to document the accident and your subsequent injuries to have strong evidence to support your claim. You should save every report, photograph, and email detailing the accident and your injuries. Be sure to document all your doctor’s visits, your doctor’s instructions to you, the medical procedures you have undergone, and your treatment plan. This may help to prove the severity of your injuries and your compliance with your doctor’s orders to mitigate damages. Save all your payslips that reflect a loss of income to show the impact that your injuries have had on your ability to work and earn a living. Keep all receipts relating to medical expenses, prescriptions, repairs to your damaged property, and alternative transport needed to get to appointments with doctors or attorneys. This can all be used as evidence of the extent of damages you have suffered.
- Seek Prompt Medical Care: You should immediately visit a doctor after the accident, whether you feel your injuries are serious or not. A prompt and thorough medical examination may reduce the risk of further health complications as well as mitigate disputes against your personal injury claim. If you delay seeking medical attention the insurer may argue that your injuries are not serious as you did not need urgent medical care. They may also assert that you did not do your duty to mitigate damages and that your own negligence has caused your condition to worsen.
Schedule Your Free Initial Consultation with a Personal Injury Attorney
Our personal injury attorneys at Obral, Silk & Pal are here to help make the claims process as stress-free as possible for you. We strive to help our clients achieve a substantial settlement that covers all accident-related losses to ease financial pressures during this stressful time. If you have been injured in Cleveland, Ohio, and need legal guidance, call us today at 216-529-9377 to talk to one of our experienced attorneys. You can also fill out our online contact formand someone from our office will be in touch with you soon.