Media post: Common Mistakes To Avoid When You Place a Car Accident Claim
No one wants to be in the position to place a car accident claim. Chances are that you’re there because of the actions of another, too. While these circumstances are the greatest, it’s important to play your cards right to get a favourable result in your case. To achieve that, try to avoid some of the most common mistakes people make when they place a car accident claim.
When to place a car accident claim
You should place your car accident claim as soon as possible after the accident. Understandably, this isn’t always possible for some people, particularly those who have been severely injured during the accident. There is a reasonable grace period for you to place a car accident claim. That said, placing the claim while all the information is still fresh in your mind is generally the best way to go.
Common Mistakes To Avoid When You Place a Car Accident Claim
Car accidents can happen so fast, so it’s understandable that some information gets lost in all the commotions. However, the more attentive you are in this situation, the better you’ll recall the details and the higher your chances of having your claim approved. Unfortunately, when your adrenaline is going and you’re in fight or flight mode, you tend to forget to do a few things. Here are some common mistakes others have made when making a car accident compensation claim:
1. Not contacting a car accident lawyer
For a funder bender that resulted in a small dent in your car, it might not be worth going through the hassle of going to court and claiming. However, if your accident totalled your car and left you injured, you would need to claim.
Unfortunately, it isn’t always that simple. Sometimes, car accident claims can be complicated, particularly when there are multiple cars involved and people injured. Likewise, if the circumstances around the accident are a little blurry, it might be difficult to work out who’s to blame, which only escalates things more. This is why you need to contact a lawyer who has experience in dealing with car accidents.
Not only will they make the situation easier for you to manage, but they’re also trained to spot and identify important information that can be used to win your case for you. With a car accident lawyer making your claim for you, you stand a better chance of a successful claim. Smith Lawyers are one of the best law firms in Australia and can make all the difference when making a car accident compensation claim.
2. Not providing accurate details of the accident
Sometimes, clients don’t give their lawyers all the information they need to represent them in court accurately. Doing this doesn’t just limit your lawyer’s ability to present you but could also potentially make them look bad in court if they’re arguing for your interests with the wrong information. For that reason, it’s important for you to get your facts straight when you present them to your lawyer.
To improve your chances of doing that, make sure to document the accident well after it happened, if possible. Here are some tips to help you:
– Get the names, numbers, registration numbers, and addresses of the other individuals involved in the accident
– Record the make, model, and colour of the cars
– Take pictures of the accident as well as the surroundings to develop an accurate account of the accident
– Get the names and numbers of any witnesses and ask if they would be living to testify
– Contact the police
– Contact your insurer and your lawyer
3. Neglecting to seek medical attention
After an accident, it’s always important to get medically checked. After the accident, you may not notice any injuries as a result of your adrenaline spiking. However, as your body calms, you may start to experience pain and discomfort in certain areas. Having a medical professional inspect you after the accident will help catch any issues you may not be aware of at the time and could even potentially save your life.
4. Jumping at the first settlement offer
Finally, don’t accept the first offer straight away unless your lawyer says go for it. If you were injured during the accident, you may have medical bills to pay, or you may not be able to work for a few days, resulting in a loss of income.
When the insurance company offers you a settlement figure, it may seem like the best and simplest option, but they could be paying you as little as possible. Consider the severity of the injury and the costs associated with it, and don’t settle for too little. Process the offer with your lawyer and trust their legal counsel.
Final Thoughts
Being in a car accident can be traumatic, whether you’re physically injured or not. Remember, when you’re placing your claim, do it in good time, be thorough with the details you can remember about the accident, and hire a car accident lawyer. When the opposing counsel offers a settlement, don’t leap at the first offer. Trust your lawyer, and the rest should go smoothly.
