Mistakes To Avoid When Filing A Personal Injury Claim In St. Pete
Michael Babboni
Personal Injury
Personal injury law is a wide-ranging field that covers many topics. It gives those who are injured in accidents because of the negligence of others the ability to recover compensation for their damages. These lawsuits often come about following St. Pete car crashes. The negligent behaviors that cause such incidents vary, but they tend to include things like:- Driving Under The Influence
- Speeding
- Texting And Driving
- Drowsy Driving
Why seek compensation? There are many reasons to seek compensation. Those injured in auto accidents tend to do so because their injuries prevent them from working, and they experience lost wages. In addition, these individuals begin to accumulate medical bills in a hurry for exams, doctor visits, prescriptions, and more. So, why seek compensation? Because you shouldn't face financial challenges when you did nothing wrong, but when you do, be sure to avoid the following mistakes.
Thinking You Can't Afford A Personal Injury Lawyer
Sometimes, lawyers require upfront payments. For instance, if you need to hire a divorce attorney, they likely won't begin until you at least put down the retainer fee. However, that typically isn't the case with personal injury lawyers. These professionals usually provide free evaluations. Plus, their clients normally only owe them fees if compensation is recovered.
Therefore, providing you choose the right firm, you'll only pay if you win. And even then, the fees will be deducted from the winnings, and you won't be paying them out of pocket. So, the first tip when filing a personal injury claim is to avoid thinking you can't afford to hire an accident attorney.
Giving Statements And Admitting Fault
It is never a good idea to give a written or verbal statement to an insurance company or attorney without your lawyer approving it. Those who go this route can damage their claims or sign their rights to compensation away. Additionally, people involved in auto accidents in St. Petersburg or elsewhere should never admit fault. So, do yourself a favor and don't admit fault or give statement on your own, as that could save you a lot of grief in the long run.
Waiting, Waiting, And Waiting Some More Before Attempting To File
There is a statute of limitations on filing a personal injury claim in Florida. That means if you wait too long, yours will become null and avoid. The amount of time a person has to file a personal injury lawsuit in The Sunshine State is four years. Hence, avoid thinking that you have an extended amount of time because the deadline could creep up on you in the blink of an eye. Then, before you know it, the period has elapsed and no restitution will be heading your way.
Some Final Thoughts
Were you injured in a crash with a drunk driver? How about a distracted driver? Did one of them strike your parked car in the rear, giving you whiplash and a broken forearm? Or was a reckless driver speeding down Interstate 175 to blame for hitting your vehicle when you stopped for the traffic in front of you, leaving you with a traumatic brain injury?
As you can see, negligence comes in many shapes and forms. Meanwhile, the injuries associated with auto accidents vary. That is because no two incidents are the same. However, regardless of whether your ailments are minor or severe, you may have the grounds to seek compensation for your damages.