Personal injury cases in San Antonio can help accident victims obtain money they need to pay for unexpected medical bills, cover lost income, and make up for other losses. However, you could make mistakes that decrease the value of your claim or bar your recovery completely. Some potential mistakes you could make with your personal injury case in Texas include:
Not Reporting the Accident
Sometimes, at-fault drivers will say they’ll pay for the damages and beg the victim not to call the police. Or, accident victims could think that they were not badly injured and fail to report slipping and falling at a store.
Not Collecting Evidence
Accident scenes only remain in place for a few hours because the property owner or authorities want to prevent other accidents from occurring, so they remediate the area to prevent this. So, if you don’t take pictures of the accident scene, get witness information, or obtain the at-fault driver’s information, this could irreparably damage your case. Evidence can be lost or destroyed if it is not promptly obtained or preserved.
Not Seeking Medical Attention
Accident victims may not believe they were seriously injured, but they could be mistaken. They could be experiencing shock or a surge of adrenaline, which can mask the symptoms of injury. This can lead to their medical injuries going undiagnosed and not receiving the treatment they need. Their injuries can get worse or even become catastrophic or fatal.
Additionally, not seeking medical attention can provide an argument for the insurance company to make that your injuries were not due to the accident but some other cause.
Not Following Doctors’ Orders
Another mistake that accident victims make is not following their doctor’s instructions. They might miss appointments or return to work sooner than they were told to. This can make their injuries worse and make it appear that they don’t care about their health.
Admitting Fault
Insurance adjusters are good at tricking claimants into giving recorded statements and admitting some degree of fault. The problem with this is that your damages can be reduced by the degree of fault attributed to you. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault for the accident, you won’t be able to recover any compensation for your injuries.
Accepting a Lowball Settlement Offer
Insurance companies may offer quick settlements so they can resolve claims for less money than they are worth. Many accident victims fail to account for the full extent of their damages, which can include compensation for:
- Medical expenses, past and future
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Emotional trauma
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Insurance companies hope that you accept a lowball settlement before you have an opportunity to talk to a lawyer.
Not Contacting a Personal Injury Lawyer
One of the biggest mistakes you could make with your San Antonio auto wreck claim is not consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney to learn if you have a case. George Salinas Injury Lawyers offers free, no-obligation consultations. Call us at 210-225-0909 to get started.