Suffering an injury can disrupt your life in so many ways. One moment, you are driving your car or performing a job-related duty—the next thing you know, you are on your way to the hospital to receive urgent medical care for a serious injury. In addition to navigating a long and complicated physical recovery, you are likely facing financial concerns about the costly medical bills, lost wages, and other considerable expenses stemming from the accident. The recovery process can become even more challenging for those for whom the trauma and disruption of the incident causes additional complications, such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, insomnia, or other mental health challenges. However, while you may feel overwhelmed after suffering such an ordeal, it’s important to recognize that Washington allows injured parties to pursue compensation from another party who is responsible, or partially responsible, for causing the accident. You can file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party to recover the compensation you need to start repaying the medical bills and other costs associated with your injuries.
As you start to explore your options for filing a personal injury claim in Washington state, it can be helpful to discuss the specifics of your claim with a highly qualified and caring legal professional. At Menzer Law Group, we are committed to providing every client we serve with the care and attention they deserve. We are intentionally selective about the personal injury cases we take on to ensure that we can channel our expertise and resources where we believe we can make the most significant impact. We encourage you to contact our Seattle office to arrange a complimentary case evaluation so that you can make more informed decisions with greater certainty. Let’s take a look at the typical steps involved in filing a personal injury claim in Washington and some of the most common mistakes to avoid making in order to maximize your chances of securing the compensation you need to start putting your life back together after an accident.
Common Personal Injury Claim Mistakes in Washington State
The aftermath of an accident is often chaotic and disorienting. However, there are steps you can take right away to start laying the foundation for a compelling and successful personal injury claim. Below are some key mistakes to avoid after an accident so that you can protect yourself and the eventual strength of the personal injury claim, should you choose to move forward with this legal action.
Not Seeking Medical Attention in a Timely Manner
Some accidents cause severe or even catastrophic injuries that require immediate medical attention. Injured accident victims often leave the scene in an ambulance so that the hospital can treat any life-threatening or serious conditions. The medical records created by the hospital visit will be useful when you begin to put together a personal injury claim, as they will attest to the severity, nature, and extent of the injuries you sustained. However, what about injuries that do not appear serious enough to warrant a visit to the emergency room? It’s still crucial that you visit a medical provider within the next day or so for a comprehensive medical evaluation. The healthcare professionals may diagnose conditions or injuries that may not display immediate symptoms, such as internal bleeding or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Additionally, the medical records associated with this evaluation will be useful to document the severity of your injuries and to show that you take your injuries and your recovery seriously. If you would like to avoid hurting your injury case, it’s important to prioritize your physical health as much as possible after that accident.
Failing to Gather Evidence at the Scene of the Accident
Another common mistake that injured accident victims make is neglecting to gather evidence from the scene of the accident. Understandably, injured parties are primarily focused on seeking medical attention, but it’s also important to report the accident to local law enforcement so that the responding officer can arrive at the scene to compile a police report. The police report serves as an account of the factors leading up to and immediately following the incident (i.e., road conditions, witness accounts, whether the other driver was driving under the influence of alcohol, etc.). Should you move forward with filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver, you can request a copy of the police report that establishes the other party’s culpability and supports your request for compensation. Other types of evidence that you can gather from the scene that can later strengthen your personal injury claim include the contact and insurance information of the other parties involved, photographs of your injuries or the scene, and any other details that you believe are relevant.
Giving a Recorded Statement to the Insurance Company
Many accidents, particularly those involving cars, will deal with insurance companies in some way. Dealing with insurance after an accident can be delicate, as the insurance adjuster may claim to be an impartial party investigating the accident. However, their priority is often to save the company as much money as possible, so they may look for ways to undermine or deny claims, however they can. It’s especially important to be wary of any requests to give a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster. While this may seem like a harmless request, this is often not a good idea—it can even end up damaging your personal injury claim later on. Before you comply with this request, it’s best to discuss the matter with a knowledgeable and trusted personal injury legal professional who can help you identify the most appropriate and strategic course of action. Remember, you are under no legal obligation to go on the record with the insurance company, and you have the right to decline this request.
Accepting a Quick Settlement Without Seeking Legal Advice
Many insurance companies are eager to settle personal injury claims as quickly as possible to minimize the costly burden of taking the case to litigation. Injured parties may be surprised to receive a settlement offer fairly expediently—but it’s wise to approach the offer with caution. In many cases, the insurance company will make a lowball settlement offer in the hope that the injured party is desperate to access the compensation as quickly as possible to start paying off medical bills and other expenses. However, the reality is that insurers will usually cooperate with negotiations for a more fair and favorable settlement offer. While this may mean that it can take a bit longer to receive a settlement, it’s usually worth taking the time to negotiate the settlement you deserve.
Posting About Your Personal Injury Case on Social Media
Many people feel comfortable sharing important life updates on social media. Posting about a new job, visiting a relative, or even trying a new restaurant are common topics on social media platforms. However, posting any details about your personal injury claim, no matter how minor it may seem, can jeopardize your chances of making a successful claim. The last thing you want is for the other party or the insurance company to use your social media posts to push back against your request for the compensation you need to support the costs of your recovery. As a general rule, refrain from posting anything about your case or your injuries on social media.
How Mistakes Can Impact the Personal Injury Claim Process in Washington State
Making any one of the mistakes we’ve covered can have a significant impact on your personal injury claim. Depending on its nature, you could wind up with a reduction in the amount of compensation you’re able to recover, a claim denial due to insufficient evidence, or substantial delays in processing your claim. The best way to maximize your chances of securing the compensation you need and deserve is to enlist the guidance of a dedicated and experienced legal advocate who can support you through the process from start to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Personal Injury Claims
As you wade through the aftermath of an accident, it’s natural for several questions to arise. Below are just a few of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) pertaining to personal injury claims in Washington state to get you started.
Can Posting on Social Media Affect My Personal Injury Claim?
Unfortunately, yes. Insurance companies may use your social media posts against you to discredit or weaken your claim. Avoid posting any details about your injuries or the personal injury case to minimize the chances of jeopardizing your claim.
What Should I Do if I Already Made One of These Mistakes?
Before you assume the worst, it’s important to seek legal guidance as quickly as possible. Contact Seattle’s go-to personal injury law firm, Menzer Law Group, today for a complimentary review of your claim.
Should I Accept the Insurance Adjuster’s First Offer?
Generally speaking, no. Insurance companies typically offer less than the claim’s actual value. It’s usually in your best interest to negotiate a more fair and reasonable settlement offer.
If you are interested in learning more about your options for recovering compensation following an accident in Washington state, the highly qualified and compassionate legal team at Menzer Law Group is here to provide you with the exceptional service you deserve during this challenging time. We are deliberately selective in the cases we take on so that we can focus our resources where we believe we can have the most significant impact. Please contact our Seattle office today at (206) 903-1818 to arrange a complimentary review of your claim.
