5 Common Mistakes To Avoid After Suffering a Personal Injury

Being injured can completely throw your schedule off, sometimes longer than you could ever imagine. Working through the aftermath here in the state of California can be quite complex. All it takes is a misstep, and the injury’s effect on your life lasts longer than you anticipated, sometimes a lifetime.

"I have seen too many people try to power through the whole process alone but end up making costly mistakes.  By the time they come to us, there is very little we can do to turn things around," advises California personal injury attorney Harry Nalbandyan of Levin & Nalbandyan, LLP.

Knowing what to look out for puts you one step ahead, and this guide offers just that; read on to learn more. 

Skipping Medical Care

Procrastinating your medical evaluation after an accident can be harmful to your case. Some injuries do not always appear right away; the symptoms can appear hours or even days later. Prompt documentation through a medical professional establishes a formal record, with the nature and timing of the injury clearly defined.

California insurers will generally scrutinize gaps in care as potential arguments to deny or reduce settlements in the claim. So getting timely care is crucial to having a robust body of evidence to bring to the claim.

Delaying Evidence Collection

Delaying evidence collection considerably weakens your case, especially in the state of California, where accident scenes change rapidly, leading to the loss of physical evidence and critical details. Photographic evidence of injuries, vehicle damage, and the location of the accident must be taken immediately; without this, it becomes considerably harder to establish what exactly happened.

Even witness testimony is unreliable with time since human recollection diminishes as memories blur, so document it while they are still at the scene if it is possible. Additionally, keeping proper records: receipts, hospital records, and repair statements, will give irrefutable evidence of the extent of your losses as well as the effect of the accident.

Speedy evidence collection not only assists in establishing your timeline, but it is also vital to establishing the proof of liability along with the degree of your damages.

Failure to File Police Report

Skipping the police report can lead to big problems later on. Without this document, your case will be based entirely on verbal testimonies of people, making the task of the insurance companies to deny your side that much easier.

The police officers document factual information, including statements of witnesses and details at the location, that the claimants may miss. Their report creates a clear timeline of events, which is usually vital in the resolution of disputes. 

Talking too Much After the Accident

Telling too much about the accident will be to your detriment. Even the words "I'm fine" can betray you one day if you happen to develop some injury in the future. It is best to be concise with your answers. State the necessities such as where and when the accident occurred.

Do not guess, speculate, or make off-the-cuff statements. Do not apologize or say that you are fine, either; the insurers will immediately use these words to deny or diminish your claim. If the claims adjuster calls you, ask them to speak to your attorney so that all of your words are not used against you.

Avoiding Legal Aid

Handling your own personal injury case in the state of California is a daunting task. The big carriers have experienced professionals to minimize payouts as well as to review each detail that you present. Without the strength of a competent lawyer, your case soon loses both momentum as well as value.

It is recommended to obtain a lawyer with knowledge in the field of California personal injury law, rather than a general practitioner in the area. Go the extra mile: read testimonials from clients, talk to reputable contacts to get recommendations, and do not accept the first name that turns up.

Your chosen attorney will personally determine your outcome, so be certain to collaborate with someone who fully comprehends your situation and will act to safeguard your best interests.