In New Hampshire, the Supreme Court has held that victims of personal injuries are entitled to full, fair, and adequate compensation for those injuries. When trying to obtain compensation from an insurance company for injuries caused by another, it is important to proceed cautiously. Insurance company adjusters are trained to look at the details and facts of a case to determine all arguments in their favor before making any payment to the injured victim.
The following are some of the most common mistakes that can jeopardize your New Hampshire injury claim:
- Failing to preserve evidence: One of the very first steps you should take in the aftermath of an accident is to start preserving evidence. For example, if you are in a motor vehicle collision, you should take photos of the accident scene including the position of the vehicles, roadway conditions, other parties involved as well as your own injuries. It is also important to gather contact information for anyone who may have witnessed the incident. Failing to promptly document or secure evidence, and allowing critical evidence to be lost, misplaced, or destroyed can be a serious mistake in a personal injury case. An experienced New Hampshire injury lawyer will be able to assist you in the steps necessary to preserve evidence, and when appropriate, take other action including preservation letters and/or legal action to preserve evidence through a court order.
- Failing to receive immediate medical treatment: If you have been injured in a car accident, a slip-and-fall, or in an accident at the workplace, it is critical that you seek immediate medical attention. When you fail to receive medical treatment promptly, the insurance companies will argue that you were not “injured enough” at the time of the accident to seek medical attention.
- Not following doctor’s orders: When your doctor provides you with a course of treatment or advises you to take certain steps to help with your recovery, it is essential to follow the doctor’s recommendations. Following your doctor’s advice can often help you make a quick and full recovery. Failing to follow medical advice will allow an insurance company to argue that your injuries would have resolved quickly if you had complied with your doctor’s orders and that your refusal to do so caused a long period of disability.
- Hiding details from your lawyer: It is important that you cooperate fully with your New Hampshire injury attorney and disclose every aspect of your case to him or her. Never assume that something is not important; that is for your attorney to decide. Be honest about past injuries. Full and open communication with your lawyer is the best way to maximize your recovery.
- Rushing into a settlement: It is never a good idea to sign a Release or enter into a settlement with the at-fault party or an insurance company without first consulting an attorney. Insurance companies almost always favor quick settlements – preferably one where they don’t have to pay you a lot of money. When you settle the claim without taking all of your current and future expenses into account or before you finish your medical treatment, you are in danger of not receiving full, fair, and adequate compensation. When you enter into a settlement agreement your case is closed and you do not have the ability to recover any additional funds from the at-fault party.
- Social Networking: If you have filed a personal injury claim, remember that the insurance company adjuster may be looking at your social networking activities, such as Facebook or Twitter. Whatever you post or have posted in the past could fall in the hands of the defense attorney or insurance company. The information posted can be misinterpreted or twisted. Be cautious about what you post; know your security settings and whom you have listed as a “friend.”
Contact an Experienced NH Injury Lawyer
The best way to avoid these common pitfalls is to retain the services of a skilled New Hampshire injury lawyer. The personal injury lawyers at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. have decades of experience representing injured victims and their families. We maintain a state-wide practice and have represented injury victims in Southern New Hampshire –from cities and towns such as Manchester, Merrimack, and Concord, as far north as Berlin and Lancaster. If you have been injured in an NH accident, we are here to help. Please feel free to contact us today for a free, comprehensive, and confidential consultation on our Free Injury Helpline at (888) 332-5855.