Every year about 2.35 million people suffer injuries or disability from car accidents. While it’s difficult to recover from your injuries, filing a car accident lawsuit can help you obtain some relief.
In many cases, plaintiffs are eligible for a higher monetary relief than the amount the court awards. Certain common mistakes plaintiffs make along the way harm their settlement amount and case outcome.
Don’t know what mistakes you should avoid at all costs? We’ll tell you what common mistakes may harm your auto accident recovery. Keep reading to learn how to get the most relief from your auto injury nightmare.
Car Accident Lawsuit Mistakes You Should Avoid at All Costs
You might’ve heard car accident settlement stories about how plaintiffs should’ve received a higher monetary relief or a better outcome. All car injury cases come down to how your attorney can evidence the extent of your injury in court.
It all starts with documenting your accident the right way. If you don’t, you may miss out on a larger monetary relief or lose your case.
Don’t know how you may miss the mark before and during your accident lawsuit? Here are the most common mistakes you should avoid to obtain the best outcome in your New York auto accident lawsuit.
1. Not Reporting Your Accident to the Police
While you might want to leave the scene of your accident as soon as possible, you must meet the accident reporting requirements in your state. In New York, if your crash caused an injury to a person, you must file a police report as soon as possible. If it only caused property damage, you will only have to file a report on the spot if the owner of the property is at the scene.
Still, this state requires all parties to file an MV 104 form with the NY DMV no more than 10 days after the accident. In states such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania, you must report your accident immediately according to their laws.
In Pennsylvania, the only exemption to this rule is when law enforcement can’t arrive at the scene. In this case, all parties must file an AA-600 form within 5 days of the accident. Keep in mind that you should describe your accident as best as you can when reporting the incident.
2. Forgetting to Exchange Your Contact Information with Other Parties
You may think exchanging your contact information with the other parties is enough. Yet, you should also exchange your information with any witnesses present at the scene. When your case goes to court, your attorney will interview these witnesses to verify and confirm details about your auto accident.
3. Not Getting Medical Treatment
Medical treatment for any condition can be expensive. Yet, not seeing a doctor after you suffer an auto accident can limit your relief.
It’s important to visit your doctor and get your injuries treated after the event. Your attorney will use your medical record as evidence to obtain a better deal in your case.
Make sure you follow your doctor’s instructions. If you don’t follow the suggested treatments, the other parties can use it against you in court.
4. Providing Unnecessary Information to Your Insurance Company
Many plaintiffs think that overselling what happened is the best way to obtain the best monetary relief. Yet, you should provide your insurance company an honest account of the events. Aim to describe the situation as best as you can.
Keep in mind that your insurance company may verify your account of the auto accident. Also, your attorney or other parties may request and submit your insurer’s report as evidence. At the end of the day, you don’t want your words being used against you.
5. Not Taking Pictures When You Suffered the Accident and After
Taking photos of the accident scene is the first step to obtaining the best outcome in your case. Yet, that isn’t the only time when you should document your accident.
It’s recommended that you take photos of any injuries you suffer and your rehab. Also, you should document the damage to your vehicle and any other damages you suffered.
6. Saying Too Much
Believe it or not, jurors, witnesses, attorneys, and other parties will try to contact you during your case. Many plaintiffs make the mistake of chatting with them about the case.
You shouldn’t talk to anyone related to the case. If you receive a call from any party, you should ask them to contact your attorney.
7. Filling Out Your No-Fault Forms Incorrectly
Jurisdictions such as New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania have no-fault auto insurance laws. These laws may put a dent on your relief options. These jurisdictions allow plaintiffs to file an accident claim if the damages and suffering meet certain conditions.
Nursing care and other services may require you to submit these no-fault forms for payment or reimbursement. Before submitting any forms, it’s recommended that you consult an attorney. You want to make sure you don’t make any mistakes when submitting these documents.
8. Not Hiring an Experienced Injury Lawyer
While obtaining the best outcome in your case depends on your evidence, you need the right lawyer in your corner. Hiring an experienced car injury attorney can make the difference between receiving the relief you deserve or losing your case.
An experienced injury attorney will help you navigate your lawsuit and advise you in matters such as the applicable statute of limitations. While New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania follow no-fault insurance laws. The statute of limitations may void your lawsuit filing.
In the state of New York, you have 3 years after your accident to file your lawsuit. In New Jersey and Pennsylvania, there’s a limit of 2 years to file your lawsuit after your accident. Yet, these limits may vary depending on your case.
An experienced attorney can advise on your lawsuit filing and approach to obtain the best outcome. It’s recommended that you search for experienced auto accident attorneys in your area.
Can You Obtain the Best Outcome in Your Auto Accident Lawsuit?
You can obtain the best outcome in your car accident lawsuit. It will come down to avoiding any mistakes and hiring the right lawyer for the job.
The best lawyer will take the time to learn more about your case and offer different options. At Find Injury Law, you have access to one of the largest injury attorney networks to find the right professional for your case.
Want to obtain the best outcome or settlement in your auto accident lawsuit? We can connect you with the most qualified injury law attorneys. Contact us today to obtain the highest monetary relief in your case.
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