If you or a loved one has been seriously injured by the negligence or wrongdoing of another, you have the power to significantly influence the out come of your bodily injury claim. In other words, actions that you take or fail to take can make or even ruin your personal injury case.
Insurance companies are always looking for new ways to evaluate your personal injury claim and to minimize your accident settlement. There are three main areas that the insurance companies focus on when they evaluate your accident claim. The key to enhancing your settlement is to avoid making mistakes commonly made by Utah auto accident victims.
Key #1: Go to the Emergency Room
First, if you have been injured in an accident, your health and livelihood should be your priority.
Seek immediate medical attention.
Additionally, going directly to an instacare or ER on the date of your accident actually adds value to your insurance claim. Insurance companies base the seriousness of an accident on when medical treatment is first sought. Also, insurance companies believe a responsible person that is hurt would get medical treatment. Those who wait several weeks for treatment are red flagged for having possible other factors that caused or aggravated their injuries-which can seriously weaken your accident case.
Key #2: Follow Your Doctor’s Orders
Your doctors are medical professionals whose advice should be followed. If your doctor recommends that you see a chiropractor, physical therapist or advises you to get a MRI, it is most beneficial for you to do so. Despite the inconvenience of adding medical appointments to your already busy schedule, your recovery is the priority and it can only come through proper medical treatment. Insurance companies will review your doctor’s medical records and find where patients have knowingly not followed orders. Again, insurance companies claim that someone who is actually hurt would take the steps necessary to heal and recover from a Utah accident.
Also, be vocal with your doctor. Tell your medical provider when and where you feel pain. Communicate if you don’t feel like the treatment is working towards your recovery. Your doctor can then prescribe an alternative course of medical treatment that will be more beneficial for you.
Key #3: Hire the Best Personal Injury Lawyer
It is imperative that you hire the best Utah accident and personal injury lawyer. Statistics demonstrate that insurance claims settle for amounts three times greater when an attorney is involved. So how do you know how good your attorney is?
A knowledgeable attorney has published books and articles relating to his area of practice and Utah Law. For example:
“7 Biggest Mistakes that Wreck Your Utah Accident Case”
Attorney Ken Christensen’s resolve is to educate Utah residents regarding Utah law, how to deal with the complex insurance world and how to deal with the aftermath of a tragic Utah accident. That is why he has written several Utah accident books that deal specifically to various types of personal injury cases including bicycle accidents, auto accidents, wrongful death accidents, motorcycle accidents and dog bite accidents.
To request a FREE copy of a Utah Accident Book specific to your accident case, go to www.utahaccidentbooks.com or call The Christensen Law Firm at 801.506.0800.