It can be difficult to know exactly what to do after you get injured. Whether you suffer injuries because of a vehicular accident, dog bite or slip and fall, it’ll be hard to think clearly. No one expects an accident to occur, so the shock coupled with the pain of an injury can throw anyone into a tailspin. Some mistakes don’t cause serious problems. However, others can make it difficult or even impossible to get compensation from the at-fault party.
That’s why it’s so important to get advice from an experienced Atlanta, GA personal injury lawyer. That being said, you won’t have a lawyer immediately after the crash and that’s when you have to make some critical decisions. If you’re prepared, you can protect your interests right from the start. If you know the most common errors that victims make, you’re more likely to avoid them in the unfortunate event that you get injured. Let’s look at some of them.
Neglecting to Call the Police After a Car Crash
It’s important that you call 911 if you get involved in a car accident even if the other driver asks you not to. When the police arrive, they’ll interview the parties involved, talk to eyewitnesses, and analyze the scene. If special investigators are necessary, they’ll call them in. In some cases, the police report may include the officer’s opinion of who was at fault for the crash. If someone was cited or charged for a traffic offense, this will be included in the report. This document can, therefore, provide a wealth of information that will support your claim for compensation.
Not Gathering Evidence at The Scene
If you are seriously injured, you’ll just have to wait on emergency medical personnel. However, if you slipped and fell or were involved in a minor car accident, you may be able to move around. If you can, take photos of the area and the hazards or vehicles involved. Try to capture all the conditions that could have contributed to the accident and your injuries. If possible, you should also try to get contact details for anyone who saw what happened. Give all this information your Atlanta car accident attorney and they will probe further. The more evidence you have, the better it will be.
Not Getting Prompt Medical Attention
Sometimes, injuries seem minor and victims take a wait-and-see approach. Symptoms aren’t always immediately obvious, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go to the doctor right away. Many victims go home after an accident only to wake up in the night with pain, stiffness, and other discomfort. If you wait too long to seek medical attention, it will be difficult to connect your injuries to the incident that caused them. The insurance company will take advantage of the delay and challenge your claim. If you want to get compensation, you need to prove that you were injured and that you got your injuries in the accident in question.
Not Calculating Your Damages Correctly
The only way to ensure you get fair compensation is to accurately quantify your damages. You won’t get what you don’t ask for. Therefore, you shouldn’t leave out any of your losses. Neither should you claim to have lost more than you actually did since you’ll have to present evidence to support each claim for damages. Some of the things you may include are past and future medical expenses and past and future lost income. While it may be easy to add up how much you’ve already spent or lost, making projections will be harder. Your lawyer can assist you in quantifying these losses along with non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
Being Too Eager to Settle Your Claim
You’re likely to be approached by an insurance adjuster who will offer you a quick settlement. The amount they offer is unlikely to be enough to cover your losses. However, they may try to convince you that you won’t be able to get more. If you’re strapped for cash, you may be tempted to take whatever they offer. However, if you accept a settlement before you’re aware of all your losses, you won’t be able to get more later.
Not Seeking Advice from a Skilled Personal Injury Lawyer
Personal injury victims who have an attorney tend to get higher settlements. That’s because Atlanta personal injury lawyers know the tactics insurance companies rely on and how to respond to them. Recovering damages can be difficult if you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into. If you want fair compensation, you should hire a lawyer.
Contact Calvin Smith Law Today to Discuss Your Personal Injury Case
If you were injured because of someone else’s negligence, you need to do everything you can to get the compensation you deserve. Call our personal injury lawyers in Atlanta today to get sound representation. Your first consultation is free.
