When an auto accident occurs, there are numerous issues that must be dealt with immediately. Along with making sure you are not seriously injured, there are the tasks of dealing with insurance companies, trying to get back to work, dealing with a constant stream of medical bills, and much more. As a result, auto accident claims can be some of the most stressful situations victims can find themselves dealing with on a daily basis.
Because of this, many auto accident victims make mistakes when filing an auto accident lawsuit. To ensure you don’t create needless problems for yourself and jeopardize your auto accident claim, here are the top auto accident lawsuit mistakes and how you can avoid them.
Don’t Lie
Always Be Truthful With Your Auto Accident Lawyer: If there is one thing that will doom your lawsuit from the start, it’s lying about the circumstances surrounding it to your attorney. Therefore, it’s crucial that when the accident happens, take as many photos and notes as possible, along with getting the necessary contact information from other drivers and witnesses. In doing so, you won’t have to rely on your memory alone to recount critical details, reducing the chances you may embellish the story when discussing it with your attorney.
Beware of Social Media
The Downfall of Auto Accident Claims: While many people see social media posts as harmless, they can be anything but that to an auto accident victim. All it takes is one photo on Facebook showing your injuries to not be as serious as you have claimed, and chances are the defendant’s lawyers and insurance company will know about it in no time. To keep from making this mistake, always remember the following:
– Do not reveal confidential information about the lawsuit online
– Never threaten anyone with online posts
– Remember that one photo will be seen by potentially thousands of people
Even though it may feel like you are doing nothing wrong by discussing your accident with online friends, the fact is the defendant’s attorney and their insurance company are looking for anything they can use against you. By acting recklessly with social media, you’re almost sure to lose your case.
Remember the Statute of Limitations
Time Limits to File Your Auto Accident Lawsuit: As with virtually any legal case, there is a statute of limitations regarding how long you’ll have to file a claim. While these vary from state to state, in general you’ll have between two and five years to file your claim. Therefore, it’s important to not delay getting your case started, since you may find out that by waiting an extra day or two, you’re too late.
Contact an Attorney
If you have been involved in an auto accident, don’t hesitate to contact an auto accident attorney like Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. as soon as possible to discuss your case. By doing so, you’ll be sure to have an attorney who is experienced and knowledgeable about these cases, ensuring your case will be handled in a professional and responsible manner.