During the initial consultation with a potential client, a Henderson car accident lawyer sometimes finds out a fact that has the potential to compromise the person’s case. It may sound strange, given the fact that the person is quite certain that they were less than 50% at fault for the accident. Yes, this is the basic premise of personal injury law in Nevada, which is ruled by the comparative negligence principle.
However, auto accident lawyers in Henderson know that it takes more than this basic eligibility to file a claim in order to win a case. Things would be simple if every party involved in the case acted fairly. If car insurance companies honored their duty without protest, there would be no need to hire a personal injury attorney. However, things are far from fair and simple in real life. At the Christian Morris Trial Attorneys law firm, we strive to win the maximum compensatory amount for every client. For this reason, we decided to prepare a list of things you should not do after a car accident, because they may hurt your case.
Insurance Adjusters Are Never on Your Side
This is the first and most important thing you must remember after a car crash. You may be approached by an apparently friendly adjuster who will try to get you to accept a quick settlement. Or, they just want to talk to you for a little about your accident while the company is analyzing your case.
Under no circumstances should you talk with either an adjuster or with the other driver about aspects relating to:
- The circumstances of the accident
- Who is at fault
- A quick settlement to avoid any troubles.
These are among the most frequent mistakes injured parties make, and they may lead to a dismissed or devalued claim. In the end, a Henderson car accident lawyer may have to take the case to court, which means that it will take even longer until the accident victim collects their compensation.
The Most Common Ways in Which You May Hurt Your Personal Injury Case
After decades of experience, the auto accident lawyers in Henderson at our law firm have compiled a list of the most frequent mistakes that accident victims make, starting with the first moments after the crash.
Please read this carefully and try to avoid the following:
1. Not Seeking Medical Attention at the Accident Scene
During the first moments after a car accident, adrenaline starts running through your body, numbing the pain. This is why many people involved in car accident believe that they’ve made a lucky escape. While some people are lucky enough to walk out of a car crash with just a few scratches, the majority of car accident victims suffer severe injuries.
In the experience of a Henderson car accident lawyer, many serious injuries show symptoms hours or days after the accident:
- Whiplash
- Internal bleeding
- Soft tissue damage
- Internal organ damage.
Besides being dangerous to leave these injuries untreated, failure to seek medical attention as soon as possible will give an insurance adjuster the opportunity to claim that you were not actually hurt in the accident. Without medical records showing the extent of your injuries and close time proximity with the moment of the crash, the adjuster may conclude that you were injured later, in a separate incident. In some cases, a skilled lawyer representing the insurance company, can plant the reasonable doubt in the jury’s mind during a personal injury lawsuit, and you may lose your case.
2. Not Collecting Evidence and Contact Information at the Crash Scene
Many accident victims are confident that the accident report prepared by the law enforcement officers is sufficient evidence to win their case. In reality, things are more complex. A police report is quite thorough and detailed, but it still may not be enough to prove that the other driver was negligent. Also, the report does not detail the extent of your injuries and property damage you suffered.
For this reason, auto accident attorneys in Henderson recommend accident victims to be proactive and collect their own evidence at the crash scene. All you have to do is use your mobile phone camera to take photos and videos of:
- Your injuries
- Your wrecked car
- The position of both vehicles on the road after the accident
- Skid marks and any other details that you believe important.
At the same time, collect information from:
- The other driver – license plate number, contact details and insurance details
- Any eyewitnesses – contact details and the promise to give a statement concerning what they saw
- People who may have photographed/filmed the accident.
3. Admitting Fault to Anyone
After a car crash, you are not just in physical pain, but also in shock. You are not in full control of your emotions and reactions. This is why it is not a good idea to start talking to the other driver or to an insurance adjuster about the circumstances of the crash.
As auto accident lawyers in Henderson know, it is not difficult to say something that could be interpreted as an admission of fault. Even an innocent “I’m sorry” may hurt your case at a later date.
4. Sharing Details about Your Henderson Car Accident on the Social Media
Everyone and their uncle have an account on at least one social media platform. These cyber forums have become the go-to place to keep in touch with family and friends, share life events, such as a marriage or the birth of a child and post vacation photos. Unfortunately, as auto accident lawyers in Henderson know, the social media is also the place where many accident victims ruin their case.
Any status update, photo or video you share can be accessed by the insurance company. The social media is deemed to be a public space, so any evidence they retrieve from your social media pages can be used even in court.
Thus, until your case is over and you have won your compensation, you should stay away from the social media. Also, you should advise your friends and family members to refrain from posting any updates, photos and videos concerning you and your recovery from the accident.
5. Attempting to Negotiate Your Claim on Your Own
Finally, one of the worst ways in which you can hurt your case is by starting negotiations with an insurance adjuster on your own. Even if you know your rights and you know that you have a valid claim, adjusters will find ways to devalue your claim or even deny it. As a last attempt, they will keep postponing the moment when they decide to make you an offer, until the statute of limitations (2 years after the date of your accident) has nearly expired. At that point, even an experienced Henderson car accident lawyer will be unable to properly prepare your case for court, ensuring that you win it.
Bring Your Case to an Experienced Henderson Car Accident Law Firm in Nevada!
The team of Henderson car accident lawyers at the Christian Morris Trial Attorneys law firm has over 30 years of combined experience working for insurance companies. This is why we know how to steer our clients away from the mistakes that may hurt their cases. We are committed to fighting for each client and winning the maximum compensation they deserve for the injuries and economic damages caused by another person’s negligence.
We work on a contingency fee basis, so schedule an initial appointment with us as soon as possible, because you will not have to pay any upfront fees: (702) 434-8282!
