If you've been injured in a car accident in North Carolina, your first priority is getting the medical care you need and beginning the recovery process. However, it's also critical that you take the right steps to protect your legal rights to seek fair compensated for your injuries and other losses.
Unfortunately, many car accident victims make costly mistakes that can jeopardize their case and prevent them from recovering full compensation. Below are 10 common pitfalls to avoid if you want to give your North Carolina car accident case the best possible chance of success.
1. Failing to Seek Medical Attention
One of the biggest mistakes car accident victims make is not seeking prompt medical attention. Even if your injuries don't seem serious at first, it's important to get checked out by a doctor. Not only is this important for your health, but it also creates a paper trail that can be used to support your injury claim. Waiting to see a doctor gives the insurance company an opportunity to argue that your injuries weren't that serious or weren't caused by the accident.2. Giving a Recorded Statement to the Insurance Company
It's natural to want to be helpful and cooperative after an accident, but you should never give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver's insurance company without first speaking to a lawyer. The insurance adjuster's job is to get you to say something that can be used against you, so it's best to politely decline to provide a statement and refer the insurance company to your attorney instead.3. Posting About the Accident on Social Media
In today's digital age, it's crucial to be very careful about what you post on social media after a car accident. Even seemingly innocuous posts about your recovery or daily activities could be twisted and used against you by the insurance company. The best policy is to avoid posting anything about the accident or your injuries on social media until your case is resolved.4. Failing to Document the Accident
One of the most important steps you can take after a car accident is to thoroughly document the incident. This includes taking photos of the accident scene, your vehicle, and any visible injuries. You should also get the contact information of any witnesses who saw what happened. This evidence can be crucial in supporting your case.5. Missing Deadlines
North Carolina has strict deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, that dictate how long you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss these deadlines, you may be barred from recovering any compensation at all. It's crucial to work with an experienced car accident attorney who can ensure all necessary paperwork is filed on time.6. Admitting Fault
Even if you're not sure who was at fault for the accident, it's important to avoid admitting any responsibility. Anything you say about the accident could potentially be used against you, so it's best to stick to the facts and let your attorney handle the investigation into liability.7. Failing to Follow Medical Treatment Recommendations
If you want to maximize your chances of recovering fair compensation, it's essential that you follow all of your doctor's treatment recommendations. This includes attending all scheduled appointments, taking medication as prescribed, and completing any recommended physical therapy or other treatments. Failing to do so gives the insurance company an opportunity to argue that your injuries aren't that serious or that you haven't done enough to mitigate your damages.8. Accepting the First Settlement Offer
The first settlement offer from the insurance company is almost never the best or highest offer you'll receive. Insurance companies are in the business of paying out as little as possible, so their initial offer is likely to be lowball. It's important to work with an attorney who can negotiate on your behalf and ensure you receive full and fair compensation for your injuries and other losses.9. Failing to Properly Calculate Damages
Properly calculating the full extent of your damages is crucial to ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve. This includes not only your medical expenses, but also lost wages, future lost earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, and any other losses you've incurred as a result of the accident. An experienced car accident attorney can help you maximize the value of your claim.10. Waiting Too Long to File a Claim
As mentioned earlier, North Carolina has strict deadlines for filing personal injury lawsuits. In most cases, you have only three years from the date of the accident to file a claim. Waiting too long to take action can result in your case being dismissed, so it's important to work with an attorney as soon as possible after the accident.Avoiding these common mistakes is essential if you want to give your North Carolina car accident case the best possible chance of success. By taking the right steps and working with an experienced attorney, you can protect your legal rights and maximize your chances of recovering the compensation you deserve.
Contact Our North Carolina Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in North Carolina, don't hesitate to contact our experienced personal injury attorney right away. Your attorney can help guide you through the process, ensure all deadlines are met, and fight to seek full and fair compensation for you.