After a car accident in Alaska, your actions can make or break your personal injury claim. The rest of this blog outlines important mistakes to avoid to protect your rights and build a stronger case.
Common Mistakes People Make After Accidents
If you are hurt in a car accident in Anchorage, it is important to concentrate on your health and determine what legal steps must be taken. However, many motorists make mistakes that can harm their cases. The most common pitfalls include the following:
- Admitting fault at the scene
- Lack of seeking medical attention
- The idea is that you can deal with insurance negotiations on your own
- Delaying legal action
- Failure to follow up with medical care
Admitting Fault at the Scene
However, admitting fault at the scene of an accident can be disastrous for your case. After an accident, adrenaline most often clouds judgment, and people tend to make hasty statements. You might say, “I am so sorry I did not see you there,” and mean it. But such a seemingly innocent comment can be read as an admission of liability.
The concept of comparative negligence comes into play in Alaska. If you admit fault, the insurance company might give you a percentage of the blame, and your compensation will be reduced accordingly. Instead, concentrate on exchanging information with the other party and getting witness accounts. Statements made under stress pale compared to what law enforcement can document if they are on the scene.
Not Seeking Medical Attention
One thing you should never fail to do after an accident is never to fail to seek medical attention. Some people say their injuries are minor or will go away, and they brush them off. However, these types of conditions, such as whiplash, concussions, or internal injuries, may not be apparent.
If you delay seeking medical care, you can make your condition worse and lose important documentation for your case. A doctor’s report is vital evidence that your injuries were caused by the accident. This documentation is often essential to support your claims in negotiations or court. Do not forget healthy people make strong cases.
Talking to the Insurance Company Alone
The insurance claims process is generally daunting, but even more so when you try to do it yourself. Skilled adjusters often work for insurance companies and are trained to keep payouts minimal. They do not care about your best interests. They care about protecting the company’s bottom line.
Without legal representation, when you talk to the insurance company, they may obtain information you are unaware of that hurts your case. They may ask leading questions that make you give out details that can be used against you.
Remember that anything you say will be used in negotiations, so it is important to be sensitive and use the right words. For this reason, you should contact a personal injury attorney before you talk to the insurance company to protect your rights and to know what to say and what not to say.
Delaying Legal Action
If you seek to file a personal injury claim in Alaska, time is of the essence. Such claims have a two-year statute of limitations. In other words, you will lose your right to compensation if you do not file within this period.
Additionally, waiting to file legal action can harm the quality of evidence available for your case. Memories fade, and physical evidence can be lost or altered over time. Prompt action gives your lawyer time to investigate the accident in depth, gather evidence, and build a good case for you. Knowing that time is running out and quick action can often be the difference between a successful outcome.
Ignoring Follow-Up Medical Care
Ignoring follow-up care even after the initial treatment of your injuries can have serious repercussions. Visiting the doctor regularly not only helps you get better but it also helps create a complete medical history about the accident. This documentation can help you prove how far your injuries went and how they affected your daily life.
Also, insurance companies will scrutinize medical records when they review claims. They might argue that if you neglect follow-up care, then your injuries are not as bad as you say, which would undermine your case. Staying on top of your medical appointments and doing what your doctor says will also help you prove your case and show your injuries’ seriousness.
Knowing and avoiding common mistakes after a car accident can substantially help you get fair compensation. You empower yourself in the legal process by staying mindful of what you do and prioritizing your health.
Getting legal advice is to guide you through the thick and thin of personal injury claims and let you concentrate on recuperating. If you are in this situation, you should find an experienced personal injury attorney to help you get the compensation you deserve.
