Common mistakes to avoid with a car accident claim

Being involved in a car accident can be stressful for anyone. If you are hurt during the crash, you are probably in pain, perplexed by the legal process and certainly worried about the medical bills and missed work. If this is the first time you are involved in a car accident, you may have no idea what a fair settlement for your injury and damages should be like.

If you have sustained an injury in a car accident due to the negligence of another party, you should consider seeking compensation for your losses. Ideally, this will be through negotiation and compromise — but the matter might end up in court. At this point, you will need strong evidence if you are to file a competent personal injury suit and get the compensation you deserve.

To have a strong case, avoid the following mistakes:

Failing to get your evidence together

Immediately following a car wreck, your immediate concern should be your health and safety. However, once you are out of danger, there are certain things you need to do to strengthen your personal injury suit. Write down the names and contact information of any witnesses, file a police report and get photos of the accident scene. All of those things can greatly strengthen your case when suing for personal injury and damages.

Giving a recorded statement

Following the wreck, the other driver’s insurance company might reach out and try to influence you into giving a recorded statement. Don’t fall for this trick. They may try to twist your words or turn them against you in order to intimidate you into accepting a reduced settlement amount. Always remember that you are under no legal obligation to provide a recorded statement about the accident.

Depending on the severity, a car wreck can change your life in many ways. You can suffer long-term injuries that may render you incapacitated. Knowing your rights and obligations after the car wreck can help you put your case together and get the compensation you deserve.