What happens when you get into a car accident? Often, you end up injured or lose your property, which means you suffer a financial loss.
You don’t have to suffer alone. You need to fight for your rights and make the other party responsible.
Though very common, car accidents happen every day on our roads. Before you go to court, you need to make sure you’re confident you have all the facts and evidence on your side.
Here are the most common mistakes in car accident lawsuits and how you can correct them.
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Gathering Insufficient Evidence for Your Case
One of the most common mistakes is failing to take photographs of the accident scene. Photographic evidence can provide valuable insight into exactly how the accident happened, pointing out any issues like dangerous road conditions or driver negligence.
Additionally, car accident lawsuits require the gathering of witness statements and road safety reports. Witnesses can help to corroborate different aspects of the incident, while road safety reports can provide an objective view of the events leading up to the collision.
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Misunderstanding Statutes of Limitations
Statutes of Limitations are the lawsuit filing deadline by which cases must be filed, otherwise, they will become invalid. When filing a car accident case, you must be aware of the statutes of limitations in your state and follow the time frame set forth. Mistakes include filing too late, deciding to wait until the last minute, and assuming all states use the same statute of limitation.
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Skimping on Legal Representation
One of the most common mistakes in a car accident case is skimping on legal representation. Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures that your rights are protected. With a lawyer, you will have someone by your side at every legal step throughout the process.
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Neglecting to Calculate Long-Term Costs and Financial Losses
Many people mistakenly focus only on the tangible costs associated with an accident, such as property damage and medical bills. However, lost wages due to missed work and future medical expenses can significantly add to the costs associated with a car accident. Before agreeing to a settlement, research should be conducted.
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Making Statements That Are Unfavorable to Your Case
People in an accident might be overwhelmed and emotional, and feel the need to explain their version of events to the other party involved. However, these statements could be perceived as accountability and an admission of guilt, even if the intent was good. It is best to stay silent and allow the attorney to take charge of the conversation if a car accident lawsuit.
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Keep an Open Mind: Alternatives to Going to Court
One mistake people often make is to automatically assume that a lawsuit must go through the court system to reach a successful outcome. While this is sometimes true, there are alternative paths to consider.
Mediation and arbitration are two such alternatives. They allow parties to seek resolution through face-to-face negotiations or by having a third party review and decide the case.
Avoiding These Mistakes in Car Accident Lawsuits
Overall, car accidents are a complicated matter. By being aware of the common mistakes in car accident lawsuits, individuals can be better prepared to tackle any issues that may come their way. If an individual has any questions about their rights, it is highly recommended that they reach out to an experienced car accident attorney.
If you’d like more information and advice on various legal topics, be sure to check out our other blog articles!
