7 Mistakes to Avoid When Filing a Personal Injury Claim

If you have been injured in an accident, you are likely wondering what you should and should not do to best support your claim for recovery. At Goodwin Como, our personal injury attorneys have helped personal injury victims throughout Pennsylvania obtain the compensation they deserve.

Following are some mistakes we advise you to avoid when pursuing a personal injury claim.

#1 Do Not Represent Yourself

Many people are tempted to represent themselves in their personal injury claims to save money. However, this is a mistake as the insurance company will have a team of lawyers, and without your own attorney, you will not know how much your case is worth. You may unknowingly accept a lowball offer or even have your claim denied. Additionally, without knowing the law and being properly advised, you may not realize that money from your settlement has to be repaid to certain other entities like your health insurance company. By not accounting for claims or reimbursement or subrogation, you may enter into a settlement agreement in which you do not receive any compensation.

#2 Do Not Deny Medical Care

If you deny medical care, the insurance company will use that denial to argue that you are not really injured. It is best to seek medical care as soon as possible after the injury occurs, even if you do not think it is necessary. You should also follow through with any recommended testing and treatment prescribed by your doctors.

#3 Do Not Ignore Physician’s Orders

Your physician may refer you to specialists and give you specific orders to follow once you leave their office. It is imperative that you follow through with these orders to ensure that your non-compliance cannot be used against you as the basis for denying your personal injury claim.

#4 Do Not Post on Social Media

When pursuing a personal injury claim, you can count on the insurance company to monitor your social media accounts. They do this to try and find some information that will disprove the existence or extent of your injury. Never post anything about your injuries or the accident on social media.

#5 Do Not Wait Too Long

The statute of limitations sets a time-limit for filing your claim in court. It is imperative that your claim be filed during this timeframe, or it could be barred forever. For most personal injury cases in Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations is two years. Still, it is best to speak with a personal injury attorney to determine the deadline for your case.

#6 Do Not Leave the Scene of the Accident

Always stay at the scene of the accident and call emergency services so that a police report can be obtained. If you leave the accident scene, it will never reflect well on you or your case.

#7 Do Not Give An Official Statement

Your insurance company will likely ask for a recorded statement. Do not provide this, but instead, refer them to your attorney. Statements made by you can be misconstrued, misinterpreted, or taken out of context.

A Pennsylvania Personal Injury Attorney at Goodwin Como, P.C., Is Here to Help

If you have been in an accident in Pennsylvania, you need counsel to represent you during the claims process. Contact Goodwin Como, P.C. to speak with a lawyer regarding your case and the damages you may be owed. We may be reached by calling 724-438-1616 or via our contact page.