5 Reasons You May Lose Your Personal Injury Claim

Winning a personal injury claim can be challenging. You can lose the case even when you deserve compensation. What you do to prepare and during the proceedings determines the outcome of your case. Knowing why you might lose your personal injury case helps you find ways to sufficiently prepare, increasing the possibility of winning. Here are five reasons you may lose your personal injury claim.

1.   Representing yourself in court

Representing yourself in a personal injury case increases the risk of losing. Arguing such a case requires skills, training, experience, and knowledge of the relevant laws. Since you lack the legal background, you won't know how to cross-examine witnesses or present evidence in court, compromising your claim. During self-representation, you may be against an experienced and skilled attorney who can use your inexperience to sabotage your claim.

The legal field has many terms and jargon you may be unfamiliar with, which may cause you to make mistakes. Hiring a Car accident lawyer in Woodstock, GA, or near you can help improve your chances of winning your claim. This is because personal injury attorneys are familiar with the legal process, know the kind of evidence admissible in court, and understand your claim's worth.

2.   Lack of evidence

To receive personal injury compensation, you must prove that the accused is responsible for your injuries. You need evidence to establish liability and prove fault. When filing your personal injury claim, ensure you have sufficient evidence to prove fault, damages, and liability. The evidence should also be admissible to prevent your case’s dismal. If you were involved in a car accident, take videos and photographs of the scene and your injuries, keep medical statements and records, get copies of police reports and eyewitness testimonies, and maintain a pain and suffering journal.

3.   Not seeking immediate medical attention

While seeking immediate medical treatment and consistently following up on treatment is crucial for faster recovery, it's also essential to strengthen your personal injury claim. Waiting until you start experiencing pain creates a medical treatment gap that negatively impacts your claim. During the follow-up treatment, missing scheduled appointments or failing to schedule them extends your treatment, creating another gap.

Insurance companies may use your failure to seek prompt medical attention against you by claiming that you weren't injured or you were treated for injuries unrelated to the case. If you're involved in a car accident, get immediate treatment even if you feel okay and keep records to prove your claim later.

4.   Contributory negligence

Contributory negligence means you're partly liable for your injuries. It implies that you contributed to your injuries. This may cause you to get little or no compensation. The defendant must prove the alleged negligence. Suppose the defendant demonstrates that you didn't take reasonable care for your safety, that you contributed to or caused the injuries, and that you could reasonably foresee being harmed. In that case, you may be found guilty of contributory negligence.

5.   Ignoring the statute of limitations

Personal injury claims have a time limit for filing cases. Failure to file your lawsuit within the timelines stipulated in the statute of limitations results in losing the right to claim compensation. Be sure to file your case on time to increase the possibility of getting compensated.

Endnote

If somebody else’s negligence harms you, you deserve compensation. However, these reasons may cause you to lose your personal injury claim. So, avoid them.