Potholes On The Road To Personal Injury Success
It's only natural for accident victims to expect payment for their losses. Some of them, though, may not fully realize the extent of the personal injury process. There can be several potholes along the way, so read on to find out about those bumps and how to move past them.
No Medical Treatment
Accident victims might have their work cut out for them if they don't see a doctor after a wreck. That is the only way to prove that you have physical injuries. Without physical injuries, there can be no payment for lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. When you either don't get treatment or you wait too long before receiving it, you might be accused of a failure to mitigate your accident damages. To be on the safe side, see a doctor as soon as possible after an accident.
Fault Is Unclear
When it comes to accidents, there are few more important factors than fault. For your case to proceed smoothly, you must be able to show that the other driver caused the accident. Shared fault is possible, but your compensation will be reduced greatly when you share fault with the other driver. If the other side is trying to accuse you of being partially at fault, you need the help of a personal injury lawyer right away to fight against those allegations.
Preexisting Conditions
Another problem with an accident claim is preexisting conditions. That is when the at-fault driver's insurer accuses you of being already injured at the time of the wreck. They might claim that you had been previously treated for a medical condition or that you were injured in a previous accident. You will need a personal injury lawyer to defend you against such accusations and to show that your injuries came from the accident alone.
Customer Service Obstacles
In most cases, your own insurer will be a lot easier to work with than the other driver's insurer. That is because the other side is responsible for paying your damages and they have no interest in being quick or efficient about it. This attitude can result in frustration and delays with your claim. For example, you might be subject to claim denials, unreturned phone calls, promises not met, and more. The best way to handle this situation is to have your lawyer send them a demand letter. This lets them know, in no uncertain terms, that you mean business and that you have a lawyer on your side.
Don't fall into a pothole with your accident. Speak to a personal injury lawyer at a firm like Bangel, Bangel & Bangel and get the road to compensation smoothed over right away.