The 3 Worst Mistakes You Can Make After a Personal Injury Accident in Wyoming
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 90-95% of personal injury claims get settled out of court.
This is both good and bad news.
- The good news is that most people won’t have to navigate the complex web of the American legal system to get the money they need and deserve.
- The bad news is that many people end up making costly mistakes when trying to settle their own claims. The consequences of these mistakes range from low-ball insurance settlements to full denials of coverage to being accused of insurance fraud.
We understand the frustration, confusion, and pain that you could be going through if you or a loved one has been injured in an accident.
That’s why we’ve put together this guide on the three worst mistakes you can make after a personal injury accident in Wyoming.
If you have any questions or need clarification on anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our knowledgeable Wyoming personal injury lawyers.
1. Not Seeking Medical Attention Right Away
This is perhaps the most common and most costly mistake that people make after an accident.
You may think that your injuries aren’t serious enough to warrant a trip to the doctor or that you can just “tough it out.”
But even if you don’t feel like you’re injured, it’s important to get a full medical evaluation after an accident.
There are two main reasons for this.
The first is that some injuries, like concussions and whiplash, may not present symptoms right away. If you wait too long to seek medical attention, the insurance company may argue that your injuries are not related to the accident.
The second reason is that insurance companies will often use your failure to seek immediate medical attention as evidence that you were not actually injured in the accident.
They may argue that if you were really hurt, you would have gone to see a doctor right away.
2. Not Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
Many people think they can save money by handling their own personal injury claim.
But the truth is most people who try to settle their own claims end up getting much less money than they would have if they had hired a lawyer.
Insurance companies are in the business of making money, not paying out claims. Their adjusters are trained to low-ball claimants and get them to settle for much less than their claim is actually worth.
An experienced personal injury lawyer will know how to negotiate with the insurance companies and get you the full value of your claim.
They will also be able to help you gather evidence, identify witnesses, and build a strong case so that you have the best chance of winning in court.
In addition, the Injury Law Firm® works on a contingency basis, which means that you won’t have to pay them anything unless they win your case.
3. Accepting the First Settlement Offer
Sometimes after an injury, the insurance company will make a settlement offer.
It’s important that you do not accept the first offer that they make.
Insurance companies will often low-ball claimants in the hopes that they will take the first offer and avoid going to court.
Your personal injury lawyer will be able to review your case and help you determine how much your claim is actually worth. At the Injury Law Firm®, we spend detailed time making this analysis and working closely with our clients.
An experienced personal injury lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company to get you a higher settlement.
If the insurance company refuses to budge, your lawyer will be prepared to take your case to trial.
Important Bonus Tip: Don’t Post About Your Accident on Social Media!!!
In today’s world, it’s tempting to post about everything that happens in our lives on social media.
But if you’ve been in a personal injury accident, it’s important to resist the urge to post about it on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
After car accidents, it is common for insurance companies to investigate you and your social media accounts. Insurance companies will often try to use anything you post on social media against you.
For example, if you post about your accident and say that you’re feeling fine, the insurance company may argue that you weren’t actually injured in the accident.
Or, if you post photos of yourself participating in activities that you say your injuries prevent you from doing, the insurance company may use those photos as evidence that you are not as injured as you claim to be.
It’s best to avoid social media altogether after an accident. If you must use social media, make sure not to post anything about your accident or your injuries.
That's it for now.
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, truck accident, dog bite, or any other type of accident, make sure to avoid these mistakes so that you can give yourself the best chance of winning your case.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer is the best way to ensure that you get the full value of your claim and avoid making any mistakes that could jeopardize your case.
The Injury Law Firm® is the leading 5-Star Google rated firm in Wyoming.