When you get into an accident because of someone else’s fault, you hope to receive compensation from their insurance company to cover your damages. For that, you file a personal injury claim. But, there is always the possibility of your claim getting denied.
Understanding what causes a claim to get rejected and what you can do to prevent it is important for seeking compensation. To make sure you avoid mistakes that may cause you to lose your money, hire a Salem Oregon personal injury lawyer.
Reasons why your personal injury claim may get denied
- You have no legal representation.
Not retaining an attorney, especially when the defendant has one on their side, is the biggest mistake you can make in a personal injury claim. Hiring an attorney and consulting with them regarding your injuries and other damages is the most crucial step to winning. Without a lawyer, you will be prone to make mistakes, and the other party may use that mistake against you.
- Exaggerating your injuries.
If you have acquired injuries because of the other party’s negligence, you deserve to get compensation. However, one thing that can stop you from getting it is exaggerating your injuries. Lying about the extent of your injuries is useless as your medical reports will eventually reveal the truth, causing you to lose your money.
- Contributory negligence.
Many accidents happen because of the fault of multiple parties. It is possible that you may have played a part in the accident and caused your injuries. In such cases, you share liability. Cases of shared liability may not always land you compensation, even if you are severely injured. However, you can still recover damages from your own insurance company.
- No credibility.
Maybe you were not at fault in the accident. However, if you fail to provide valid evidence of your arguments to the court, such as your medical records, injuries, statements from credible witnesses and experts, you may lose the case. You may also lose if you write an incorrect statement or fill the paperwork wrong.
- Social media posts.
Even though social media is a great platform for sharing your thoughts and experiences with your friends and family, you may want to stay away from it while dealing with legal matters. Venting out about your situations and concerns regarding compensation on social media can be used by the defendant against you in court. For example, if you claim you are injured and then post a picture of you working out, it may weaken your case.
- Lack of documentation.
Documentation is critical in all legal cases. You need documentation proving when, where, and how the accident took place and who is to blame. You also need copies of police reports, medical reports, a diary of your pain and suffering, etc.
