If you are injured in a car accident caused by someone else, you may be able to recover compensation for your damages. However, insurance companies will work diligently to find a way to deny or devalue your claim. Their job is to settle your case for as little as possible.
You may be disoriented, afraid, and overwhelmed in the first moments, days, and weeks after a crash. It can be easy to make mistakes after a car accident that can harm your ability to recover the compensation you deserve.
Being aware of the most common mistakes to avoid after a Louisiana car accident can significantly increase your chances of recovering maximum compensation.
Mistakes to Avoid After a Louisiana Car Accident
Mistakes to Avoid After a Louisiana Car Accident
Insurance companies will try to use anything you say, do, or fail to do against you. Avoiding the following mistakes can help protect your ability to recover the compensation you are entitled to.
Leaving the Accident Scene
It is illegal to leave the scene of an accident without stopping. Doing so may result in criminal charges. You must stop and check if anyone is injured and needs immediate medical assistance, and stay at the scene until law enforcement authorizes you to leave.
Failing to Report the Accident
You are legally required to report any accident that results in injury, death, or property damage over $500. This means you must report practically every accident, even a minor fender bender.
A police report can support your claim and help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Forgetting to Document the Scene and Gather Evidence
After a car accident, it is essential to exchange information with the other drivers involved. You should also take photographs and video footage of the scene, including any visible injuries, the position of the vehicles, the road condition, traffic signs or signals, and anything that seems relevant to your accident. You should also get the names and contact information of all potential witnesses to the accident.
Failing to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Even if you do not believe your injuries are severe, you must be medically evaluated. Many severe injuries are not immediately apparent. Internal injuries and soft tissue damage may take days or weeks to present symptoms.
Do not underestimate your injuries. Doing so can delay receiving the medical attention you need and may negatively impact your ability to recover compensation.
Admitting Fault or Apologizing for the Accident
Never admit fault or apologize for the accident. Even if you think you may be at fault, or partially at fault, do not say so. You do not yet have all the facts and could assume responsibility when you are not actually at fault.
Admitting that you are sorry or acknowledging that you may be at fault can significantly impact your claim. Insurance companies will use your words against you, even if there is proof that another party is at fault.
Not Keeping Track of Expenses Related to Your Accident
You should retain all receipts, bills, and invoices related to expenses incurred as a result of your accident. This may include medical bills, repair bills, and estimates that can be used to prove the value of your damages.
Speaking to an Insurance Adjuster
You must remember that insurance adjusters and representatives are not your friends. No matter how kind and empathetic they seem, they are constantly working to uncover evidence to help them deny or devalue your claim.
Even a seemingly harmless “Are you okay?” or “How are you feeling today?” can set you up to endanger your ability to recover compensation. Do not provide a recorded or written statement to an adjuster. Only give your contact information and your lawyer’s name and phone number.
Accepting a Quick Settlement Offer
Do not accept a fast settlement offer even if it sounds fair. Insurance adjusters hope to work fast and settle your claim for much less than it is worth before you consult an attorney. You cannot know what your claim is worth until all your current and future damages have been considered and accurately valued.
At Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys, we frequently collaborate with medical and economic experts to help establish and accurately value your damages, enabling you to understand what a fair settlement offer would be.
Posting on Social Media While Your Claim is Pending
Remember, insurance adjusters are actively working to find evidence to deny or devalue your claim. They often review social media accounts of injury victims and their family and friends, hoping to find a comment, photograph, or video that can be used to show that your injuries are not as severe as you claim.
Refrain from posting on social media and ask your family and friends not to post content about you until you have settled your claim.
Not Consulting an Experienced Louisiana Car Accident Attorney
Car accident injury claims are rarely straightforward. The insurance company wants to pay you as little as possible and will work to find anything they can to work against you. You need the help of an experienced car accident attorney in Louisiana to help protect your right to recover maximum compensation for your damages.
Your attorney will listen to you, answer your questions, and explain your rights. They can investigate your accident to determine all possible causes and potentially liable parties, and conduct discovery to uncover essential evidence to support your claim.
An experienced car accident attorney can help ensure that all your current and future damages are accurately valued and included, and negotiate a fair settlement as quickly as possible. If a fair settlement is not reached, they can take your claim to court to help you recover maximum compensation.
Contact an Experienced Louisiana Car Accident Attorney Today
If you have been injured in a Louisiana car accident caused by another party, you have the right to seek compensation for your damages. Insurance companies will try to deny your claim and settle it for as little as possible. You need the help of an experienced Louisiana car accident attorney to help you recover the compensation you are entitled to.
At Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys, we have the experience, skills, and resources to help you recover maximum compensation, and we want to help you. Call (225) 999-1111 or visit our contact page and schedule a free consultation to discuss your car accident injury claim.