Car accidents can happen anywhere to anybody. If you were injured in an auto accident that wasn’t your fault, you can file a claim against the party-at-fault. If your car accident attorney in Atlanta proves that your injuries were a result of the other party’s negligence, the court may award you compensation.
Car accidents are traumatizing events. Motorists involved in car crashes experience a range of emotions. Some individuals feel totally overwhelmed for months (even years) after a crash. They make mistakes that ruin their personal injury case.
If you have a personal injury case, avoid these common mistakes that can derail your case and jeopardize your chances of success.
1. Waiting too Long to File a Claim
Every state has its own statute of limitations. In Georgia, there is a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury.
The clock starts ticking after you are injured in a crash. If you fail to take action within two years from the date of your crash, you will lose your right to recover damages, no matter how seriously you were injured, and regardless of how clear the defendant’s liability is.
There are certain exceptions to this rule. Courts can extend statute of limitations if:
- The aggrieved party was a minor at the time of the accident
- The defendant left the state after the accident
- The injured person was mentally or physically incapacitated and had been declared legally incompetent
The longer you wait to file your personal injury claim, the more difficult it will be to prove your claims. It’s best to talk to an Atlanta car accident lawyer as soon as possible after your crash.
2. Failing to File a Police Report
One of the first things you need to do after a car accident is file a police report. A police accident report contains important information about the incident. It offers an official account of the accident and can be used in court to prove your claims. The party-at-fault may try to discourage you from filing a police report. Failure to file a police accident report will make your case difficult to prove.
3. Waiting too Long to See a Doctor
Insurance companies do not like paying damages. If you wait too long to seek medical attention after an accident, your insurance company may try to downplay or deny your claims. The company may try to negate your claims by proving that either your injuries are not as serious as you claim them to be or they are a result of a pre-existing condition.
Do not wait too long to see a doctor after an accident even if you feel that your injuries are not serious and your body could self-heal. In many cases, drivers who initially appear to be uninjured after an accident have hidden life-threatening injuries.
4. Taking the First Offer from the Insurance Company
Insurance companies try every rule in the book to avoid paying out large sums of money. Your insurance company will try to offer you an initial settlement. More often than not, initial settlement offers are too low and do not cover all of the expenses. By accepting an offer by your insurance company, you will waive your right to further legal action.
Your personal injury lawyer in Atlanta can make or break your case. Let The Hurt 911 Injury Centers help you find a professional who deserves your trust. Our panel comprises some of the most respected and experienced attorneys in Atlanta. To get answers to all your questions, call us at 1-800-487-8911.