As an injured victim, there are several ways you could potentially hurt the value of your personal injury claim. These mistakes and oversights could result in reduced compensation or having your claim denied. Consulting with a knowledgeable attorney could help you avoid these missteps.

Our licensed attorneys know how to negotiate with insurers to aggressively pursue maximum compensation. Our firm has recovered over $130 million in compensation, including $1.8 million for a client who was injured in a truck accident.

Contact our firm today for a free review of your injury claim. There is no obligation to retain our services and your information will be kept completely confidential. We charge you no fees unless we obtain compensation for your claim.

Below, our lawyers provide helpful tips on avoiding errors that could have a negative effect on the outcome of your claim.

Errors That Could Cost You Compensation

Perhaps the most important part of your approach to your personal injury claim is how you react immediately after your accident. Do your best to avoid mistakes like these:

  • Avoiding immediate medical attention – It is of the utmost importance to seek a medical examination from a healthcare professional to help prevent your condition from worsening and to have the examination documented. If you avoid getting examined, the insurance company could deny or devalue your claim, saying that your injury is not severe, or it was caused by something other than what you claim.
  • Not reporting your accident – If you were involved in a car crash or other type of accident that was caused by the negligence of another party, you should notify the local police to ensure it is documented. If you were injured at work, you should notify your employer as soon as possible. Failing to report the incident in a timely manner could cause insurers and employers to question the reason you were injured.
  • Speaking to insurance adjusters – Sometimes insurance adjusters may try to get you to say something that could hurt the value of your claim. If you do talk to the insurance company, it is important to only provide the basic information, such as when and where the accident happened. If your claim has merit, a licensed attorney can handle all communication with the insurance companies on hour behalf. Insurance companies are skilled at getting victims to say things that hurt their claims.
  • Lying about the accident – Being honest about your accident and your injury is critical to maintaining the value of your claim. If it is found that your accounts of the accident or your medical history, including pre-existing injuries, is inconsistent, this could cause insurers to devalue or deny your claim.
  • Filing a claim after the statute of limitations – If you or a loved one was injured in an accident in Maryland, you generally have three years to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. However, depending on the details of your claim, you may need to file sooner. If you wait too long, you may lose your right to pursue compensation.
  • Accepting a lowball offer – Most insurance companies try to settle injury claims quickly to avoid making big payouts, however, they will most likely offer you an amount that is well below what you may deserve.

What if I Cannot Afford a Lawyer?

Many personal injury victims may automatically think that hiring a licensed lawyer is unaffordable, however, this not the case when you contact a personal injury lawyer at Goldberg Finnegan. Our trusted lawyers work on a contingency fee basis – meaning we charge you zero lawyer fees unless we secure compensation for your claim.

There are no risks involved with your no cost evaluation and you will not be required to hire us for legal representation after meeting with us.

Call a Legal Professional to Discuss Your Options

If you or a loved one was injured in an accident, be careful not to commit costly mistakes that could result in a devalued or denied claim.

Inquiring with a legal professional about your situation could be in your best interest. The Silver Spring personal injury attorneys at Goldberg Finnegan are available to help provide legal advice that could help protect the value of your claim.