Top Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Personal Injury Claim
Filing a personal injury claim can be a complicated process, and even small mistakes can significantly reduce the compensation you receive. At Pathway Legal Group, we are committed to helping Indiana injury victims avoid common pitfalls that insurance companies are quick to exploit. Here are the top mistakes you should avoid if you want to maximize your personal injury recovery.
1. Failing to Seek Immediate Medical Treatment Your health should be your top priority. Delaying medical treatment can allow insurance companies to argue that your injuries were not serious or were caused by something other than the accident.
2. Not Following Medical Advice Ignoring your doctor's recommendations or skipping follow-up appointments can damage your credibility and suggest to insurers and juries that your injuries are not as severe as claimed.
3. Giving Recorded Statements to Insurance Adjusters Without Legal Counsel Insurance adjusters often ask for recorded statements early in the process. Their goal is to find information they can use to reduce or deny your claim. Always consult an attorney before giving any statements.
4. Posting on Social Media About Your Accident Anything you post online can be used against you. Photos, check-ins, or status updates that seem to contradict your injury claims can be extremely damaging to your case.
5. Accepting a Quick Settlement Offer Insurance companies often offer low settlements early to close claims cheaply. Accepting a quick offer before understanding the full extent of your injuries and damages can leave you with far less than you deserve.
6. Failing to Document Evidence Photos of the accident scene, your injuries, property damage, and witness contact information are crucial. Lack of documentation can make proving your case much more difficult.
7. Exaggerating or Misrepresenting Injuries Honesty is critical. If an insurer or defense attorney finds inconsistencies between your claims and your medical records, it can undermine your entire case.
8. Waiting Too Long to File a Claim Indiana law imposes a statute of limitations on personal injury claims, typically two years from the date of the accident. Waiting too long can bar you from ever seeking compensation.
9. Handling Your Claim Without an Attorney Personal injury law is complex, and insurance companies have teams of lawyers working to protect their interests. Without an experienced attorney, you risk accepting a low settlement or losing your claim entirely.
10. Underestimating Future Damages Injuries can have long-term effects that are not immediately obvious. An experienced attorney can help you account for future medical expenses, loss of earning capacity, and ongoing pain and suffering.
How Pathway Legal Group Can Help At Pathway Legal Group, we have nearly a decade of experience defending insurance companies, giving us inside knowledge of the tactics they use to devalue claims. Today, we use that experience to fight for injury victims across all Indiana counties.
Avoiding these mistakes can make a critical difference in the success of your claim. Let us guide you every step of the way. Call Pathway Legal Group at (317) 588-7400 for a free consultation and take the first step toward securing the compensation you deserve.
