4 Mistakes that People Make When Handling Their Own Personal Injury Claim

Injured victims face many challenges to receiving a decent settlement for their injuries. Nonetheless, too many people try to tackle their own injury claim. To be sure, South Dakota does not require that you hire a lawyer to negotiate for you, but there are many advantages to pulling together a legal team to represent you in a case. Here are four mistakes that people make when they go into negotiations without legal representation.

Mistake #1: You Undervalue Your Claim

Few non-lawyers know how to value a personal injury claim. In addition to receiving compensation for medical care and lost income, you might also receive compensation for pain and suffering, future medical care, diminished future income, and mental anguish.

Do you know how to value these losses? Many people have no idea what’s a fair amount of compensation for pain and suffering. They might also be unaware that they can request lost future income if they are permanently disabled. Our legal team can research recent settlements and use our experience to identify a fair amount.

Mistake #2: You Overlook Critical Evidence

An injured victim needs to do more than show they were hurt in a crash. You also need evidence to establish fault for the accident. However, some pieces of evidence might be hard to find.

For example, the following evidence is crucial in a truck accident case:

• Black box data
• Inspection reports
• Other maintenance records
• Drug testing results
• Physical exams
• Employee discipline
• Freight manifests

Work with an experienced lawyer who can demand that the trucking company preserve this evidence and make it available for your inspection. Without it, you might not win a settlement because you cannot prove another motorist was to blame.

Mistake #3: You Get Flustered in Negotiations

Negotiation is a high-stakes process. You might think you are entitled to significant compensation, but insurance companies are motivated by their bottom line. They would like you to accept less than what you are owed.

Effective negotiators understand the true value of a claim. We also know that insurance companies want to avoid going to trial in most cases.

A non-lawyer might be offended by the first settlement offer, but we know this is all part of their strategy. We can effectively counter-offer and stay one step ahead of the other side.

Mistake #4: You Grab the First Settlement Offer

Some injured victims need money so baldly they grab the first offer. However, every settlement comes with a waiver to not sue the defendant for any more compensation. What you accept in the settlement is what you will end up with, and you won’t get a penny more from this defendant.

Non-lawyers often end up disappointed when they realize their settlement does remotely cover their medical expenses. They also receive nothing for their pain and suffering.

Contact Our Sioux Falls Personal Injury Lawyers

You do not have to tackle an injury claim by yourself. Hoy Law has won millions for other injured victims in a variety of accidents. Contact us to speak with a Sioux Falls personal injury lawyer about the details of your case.

Source:

investopedia.com/terms/w/waiver.asp