Mistakes to Avoid in Car Accident Lawsuits

Hiring a competent, experienced lawyer can make all the difference.  Car accident injury lawyers are used to thinking in terms of presenting relevant and compelling evidence.  They can help you think logically about moving forward after a devastating accident, even when your physical and emotional pain have been foremost on your mind since the accident.  Personal injury law is not magic, though; a lawyer cannot make you appear to have credibility that you do not have. Your own caution and good judgment also play a role in making your case winnable.  These are some mistakes that car accident lawyers see plaintiffs make all too frequently, as well as how you can avoid them.

Dishonesty

Even if you are known in your circle of friends as being the person who can fool even the most skeptical people on April Fool’s Day, do not expect to be able to get away with lying in a car accident injury lawsuit.  You are surrounded by people whose job it is to find out the truth. If you make untrue statements on forms, to the insurance company, or in court, someone will find out. Whatever you do, do not say something that contradicts the evidence found in your medical records or in photos or video footage from the scene of the accident.

Loose Lips Sink Ships

Just as bad as telling falsehoods is telling the truth to the wrong people.  Confidentiality is an important part of lawsuits. While the lawsuit is going on, expect not to be able to share many details about it even with your close relatives and friends.  Do not talk to insurance adjusters, defense lawyers, or jurors except when your lawyer is present. If they call you, tell them that they should contact you through your lawyer instead.

Signing a Settlement Agreement from the Insurance Company

The right time to contact a personal injury lawyer about filing a lawsuit related to your injuries from a car accident is when you receive a settlement offer letter from the insurance company and find that the amount being offered is not enough.  If you sign the letter, it means that you agree that the amount being offered to you is sufficient. Therefore, the defendant has strong evidence that they do not need to pay you anything more. Many judges will reject your lawsuit simply based on the fact that you signed the settlement offer.

Not Following Medical Advice

If you file a personal injury lawsuit, your medical records will very likely be used as evidence.  If they show that you did not comply with your doctors’ advice, then there is evidence that your lack of compliance, rather than the defendant’s negligence, is why your health problems are as bad as they are.  If your doctor gives you advice you don’t agree with, get a second opinion instead of ignoring the advice.

Contact Walton Telken Bragee Injury Attorneys About Car Accident Cases

It is a mistake to assume, without first consulting a lawyer, that you don’t have grounds for a lawsuit.  Contact Walton Telken Bragee Injury Attorneys in the Kirkwood, Missouri area for a legal consultation if you are thinking of filing a lawsuit related to a car accident.