After a car accident, even the most level-headed people can feel shaken and make mistakes they would not have otherwise. Sometimes, these mistakes are enough to throw a person off-balance for a while, leading to even more mistakes. On the other hand, some people are able to remain calm, cool and collected after an accident. It is only later that they might unknowingly make a mistake.
Bottom line: Car accidents and their aftermath can be complicated, especially in cases of serious injury or death. Insurance and legal processes get involved, and people can commit costly errors. Here is a look at some mistakes your attorney may be able to prevent you from making.
1. Rushing to settle
Wanting to settle with insurance companies as soon as possible makes sense. After all, you or your loved one is hurting, and you could be dealing with mounting medical bills, lost wages and more. Plus, you want nothing more than to put the accident behind you. However, in many cases, your first settlement offer from an insurance company is radically low. By striving for a fairer deal, you could get a lot more money. Nor do you have to part with even more money to pay an attorney. Find one that works on a contingency basis, meaning the attorney gets paid only if you win your case and get money.
2. Failing to see a doctor
Suppose it has been two weeks since your car accident, and that minor-feeling whiplash has become something much more severe. Still, you would rather not see a doctor. You are busy, and the pain should go away eventually. Big mistake. Your attorney would tell you that it is critical to seek medical care as soon as possible and to establish a record of your injury and how it occurred in case you need to seek compensation. Even if it has been a while and you have yet to see a doctor, an attorney can help prevent mistakes in that regard going forward, for example, finding you a doctor who is good at diagnosing, identifying and explaining injuries a few weeks or few months old.