Do you think you have a slam dunk case when it comes to the injury you’ve suffered?
That’s great, and in that situation, you really should seek compensation, but you need to do it the right way.
Many times people who indeed do have a solid case make some elementary mistake that ends up hurting them in the long run.
If you’re about to go to a trial or start negotiating a settlement, you need to approach the proceedings seriously and not risk anything.
To help you with that, here are some of the most common reasons why people lose personal injury cases.
No attorney
Often, we see people convinced that their case is so clear they don’t need an attorney.
That’s a big mistake to make because a competent attorney will help you find your way through the system much faster, point out the potential traps that lurk in the fine print and leave quite a different impression in negotiations over a settlement or in court.
Hire an attorney, preferably one from Optimal Solicitors, and your chances will go up dramatically, not to mention that the whole process will be much easier for you.
Social media
Social media are everywhere these days, so it may be hard to resist creating a post about your accident.
However, try to remember that by doing so you may be hurting your case quite a lot.
These things ARE admissible in court, but they often don’t tell the whole story, which means they can easily be twisted. Furthermore, they can give away your strategy and give the other side an edge.
All in all, it’s best not to post anything until the whole thing is over.
Documentation
Whatever you claim happened to you has to be backed by some sort of evidence, otherwise, you have no chance of winning anything in court.
So, do your best to keep a record of everything that happened, from the accident to the end of the treatment.
Police reports can be exceptionally important, but also receipts and any medical documentation related to the accident.
Any paper that can help you prove how much you were hurt, be that physically, mentally or financially, is worth saving.
Not being honest about the injuries
You may be tempted to look tough and say that you’re not suffering because of the injuries or you may be tempted to emphasize them too much in order to get a higher amount.
Both approaches are wrong.
Stick to the truth because the truth is the easiest to back up by evidence. If you act like you don’t care about the injuries the other side will certainly care even less, and if you’re overly dramatic, the judge or the jury can easily lose sympathy for you.
Waiting too long
Usually, you have a time frame within which you have to file a suit regarding your accident.
Once that window is over, it will become extremely difficult, if not flat out impossible to get compensation.
If you’re not sure whether or not you should proceed, talking to an experienced lawyer can help out a lot.