If you have been injured in North Carolina and are considering filing a personal injury claim, it’s important to know what mistakes to avoid in a personal injury claim. Knowing the common mistakes people make in personal injury cases in North Carolina can help you to maximize your chances of success in both filing and receiving a fair settlement.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in a Personal Injury Claim
The most common mistakes people make in personal injury cases in North Carolina can be easily avoided. Here are some of the biggest ones to avoid:
Not Seeking Medical Attention Promptly
One of the biggest mistakes people make in personal injury cases in North Carolina is not seeking medical treatment immediately after the injury occurs. Even if you don’t think you need medical treatment, it’s important to get checked out to ensure there are no underlying injuries or conditions that could be exacerbated by not getting treatment. It can also help establish a timeline for your injury—a key piece of evidence when pursuing a personal injury case. Seeking medical treatment also provides a paper trail that can be used to prove the extent of your injuries and how they were caused.
Failing to Document the Accident
Documentation is essential for any successful personal injury case. You should document everything related to the incident—from photos of the scene and medical records, to witness statements and police reports. Not only does this provide key evidence for your case, but it also serves as an important reminder of what happened so that details don’t slip away over time. Be sure to keep all documents organized so they’re easy to access when needed. Failing to document the accident can make it difficult to prove your case and can result in a lower settlement or even the dismissal of your case.
Failing to Consult With an Attorney
Many people make the mistake of not consulting an attorney when filing a personal injury case in North Carolina. Pursuing a personal injury case on your own is rarely advisable; there are many nuances associated with these types of cases that require specialized knowledge and experience in order to get the best outcome possible. Consulting with an experienced attorney who specializes in personal injury cases can make all the difference when it comes time to negotiate or litigate your claim against another party or their insurance company.
Not Keeping Track of Expenses
It’s important to keep track of all of your expenses related to the accident, including medical bills, lost wages, and other costs. This will help you to ensure that you receive a fair settlement that covers all of your expenses. Ignoring or failing to track your expenses related to your personal injury can lead to major financial troubles and can cost you more in the long run. After a personal injury, it is incredibly important to document all of your costs so that you can properly and fairly be reimbursed for those expenses. Make sure that your records are accurate and complete, as well as organized – don’t forget to keep copies of all paperwork associated with the personal injury and its costs; bills, medical records, appointment cards, etc. Having a clear record of all expenses related to the incident will ensure accurate compensation after the fact.
Not Filing on Time
Failing to file a personal injury case on time can have severe financial and legal repercussions. Because statutes of limitations vary, it is important for individuals injured due to the negligence of another person or entity to act quickly in order to protect their legal rights. If a person waits too long, courts will not hear their case since the claim is considered too old after a certain period of time. Even if there are mitigating factors, such as an illness preventing them from filing sooner, claims not within the statute of limitation won’t be heard in court, no matter how much evidence exists or how compelling the claim may be. It is therefore important to research state laws regarding personal injury and contact an attorney promptly after any injury occurs in order to ensure that all rights are protected and nothing falls through the cracks.
In North Carolina, personal injury claims must be filed within three years of the date of the accident. Failing to file within this time frame can result in your claim being denied.
Conclusion
Knowing the common mistakes people make in personal injury cases in North Carolina can help you to avoid them and maximize your chances of success in filing and receiving a fair settlement. Avoiding mistakes such as not seeking medical treatment, failing to document the accident, not consulting an attorney, not keeping track of expenses, and not filing on time can help to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive a fair settlement for your injuries.