Top Mistakes To Avoid After A Personal Injury (And How A Lawyer Helps)
Suffering a personal injury—whether from a car accident, slip and fall, or any other incident—can turn your life upside down. In the aftermath, it’s easy to make mistakes that could hurt your chances of recovering fair compensation. The stress, confusion, and pain you experience may lead you to act without fully understanding your legal rights.
To protect your health, your finances, and your legal claim, here are some of the most common mistakes to avoid after a personal injury—and how our St. Paul personal injury lawyer can help every step of the way.
Failing To Seek Medical Attention
One of the biggest mistakes people make after an injury is not getting immediate medical treatment. Even if you feel okay, some injuries—like concussions, internal bleeding, or soft tissue damage—can take hours or days to fully develop.
Delaying medical care not only puts your health at risk but also weakens your case. Insurance companies may argue that your injuries weren’t serious or weren’t caused by the accident. Our personal injury lawyer will emphasize the importance of medical documentation and help ensure your treatment supports your claim.
Admitting Fault At The Scene
After an accident, emotions run high. Many people instinctively apologize or accept blame, even if they weren’t at fault. Unfortunately, admitting fault—even casually—can be used against you in a personal injury case.
Our lawyer will advise you to stick to the facts when speaking with others and avoid making any statements that could jeopardize your claim. They can also handle communications on your behalf to protect your interests.
Talking To The Insurance Company Without Legal Advice
Insurance adjusters may seem friendly, but their goal is to minimize payouts. They might ask leading questions, request recorded statements, or offer quick settlements that are far lower than what your case is worth.
This is where our personal injury attorney becomes invaluable. Your lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company, handle all correspondence, and make sure you don’t say anything that could be used against you.
Accepting A Low Settlement Too Quickly
It’s tempting to accept the first settlement offer, especially when medical bills are piling up and you’re missing work. But insurance companies often lowball early offers, hoping victims don’t understand the true value of their case.
Our personal injury lawyer will calculate the full scope of your damages, including future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more—ensuring you don’t settle for less than you deserve.
Waiting Too Long To File A Claim
Every state has a statute of limitations, which is the deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit. Waiting too long can result in losing your right to pursue compensation altogether.
Our lawyer keeps track of critical deadlines and ensures your case moves forward on time, preserving your right to legal recourse.
How A Personal Injury Lawyer Helps
Hiring our personal injury lawyer early ensures you don’t make costly mistakes. From guiding your medical documentation to dealing with insurance companies and filing your claim, your attorney is your advocate through the entire process. They’ll fight for maximum compensation while you focus on healing.
When it comes to personal injury cases, small missteps can have big consequences. Avoiding these common mistakes—and working with our experienced lawyer—can greatly improve your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve. At Bennerotte & Associates, P.A., we are here to help.