When you or someone you loved is injured in an accident that was the result of another person’s negligent behavior, you have the right to pursue legal action. If damages occur, you have the right to financial compensation from the opposing party. There are a lot of things that go into crafting a successful personal injury case and if you don’t do everything properly, you could miss out on proper compensation.

The process of pursuing legal action against another person can create nerves and lead you to make bad decisions about your case. We want to make sure that doesn’t happen to you so here are some of the most common mistakes plaintiffs make in a personal injury lawsuit – and how you can avoid them. 

Handling the Case on Your Own

“It can’t be that hard, I can do this on my own.”

False.

A personal injury case is incredibly complex especially if you’re trying to fight against another company. Trying to manage a personal injury case on your own in hopes to save money from hiring a lawyer, will only lead you to lose and not getting the financial compensation you deserve. Unless you have a thorough understanding of the law, it is extremely challenging to create a strong compelling case. 

Hiring a lawyer that has expertise and experience understanding the law will increase your chances of getting a favorable court decision. Oftentimes, having representation from a personal injury lawyer will increase the amount of settlement you receive. At Friedman Law Office, our attorneys are paid on a contingency basis. This means our lawyers don’t get paid unless you get paid. 

Not Producing the Proper Evidence 

One of the biggest mistakes that a plaintiff can make when creating a personal injury case is not providing the proper evidence. To avoid this mistake when speaking with your lawyer, be sure to keep a journal or document where you list events from the accident and any ensuing damages. Keep track of symptoms, treatments, appointments with physicians, and any time that was taken off from work. The type of documents that you’ll need to produce will vary from case to case, so always check with the lawyer representing you to make sure you have every required document. 

Over Exaggerating Claims 

Over exaggerating your injury claims can be very detrimental to the validity of your case. Plaintiffs will over-exaggerate certain areas of the injury in fear that their real injuries are not enough to warrant a strong case. No matter the extent of the injury, you should always document it honestly and accurately. It’s better to present a minor injury truthfully than falsely claim an injury to be more than it actually is.

Settling Out of Court 

A majority of personal injury cases are settled outside of court, through negotiation between the two or more parties. If an insurance company offers an initial settlement outside of the courtroom, oftentimes it is lower than what the case is actually worth. You may feel tempted to accept this first offer, but always be sure to review it with your lawyer. 

Filing a Claim in a Reasonable Timeframe 

In Nebraska, most cases have a four-year statute of limitation, but there are important and critical exceptions. Always speak with a lawyer so you can determine how long you have to file. If you wait too long to file a lawsuit, you may forget about certain aspects of the injury and will be unable to present the proper amount of evidence during the trial. It is a good idea to speak with a lawyer immediately while the information is still fresh in your mind. This will give you a better chance at successfully winning your case. 

Hire Friedman Law Offices – Experts in Personal Injury Law

We’ve been helping Nebraskans with their personal injury cases since 1962. We are large enough to handle substantial and complex cases, yet small enough to provide personalized representation for each client. We recognize that injuries go deeper than physical damage and we’re here to get you the compensation that you deserve. 

We offer free initial consultations and we work on a contingency basis – we don’t get paid unless you get paid. 

Call our office today and schedule an appointment with one of our outstanding lawyers. 

402.476.1093