You shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s mistakes when you’re struggling to recover.
An accident on the Route 8 Connector or slipping on a patch of ice in Downtown Bridgeport can change your life in a heartbeat. As you try to recover, you also have to deal with the stress of mounting medical bills and lack of paychecks. Most people assume that the insurance company will treat them fairly, but the reality is more difficult to handle alone.
To make sure you get enough money to cover your losses, you need to take smart steps from the start. Speaking with a Bridgeport personal injury attorney at the beginning of your claim is the best way to protect your future.
1. Get immediate medical attention.
You should see a doctor right away, even if you think your injuries are minor. Many common injuries from car accidents, such as whiplash or internal bleeding, don’t show symptoms until days later. If you wait too long to see a professional, the insurance company will argue that you were not actually injured in the accident. They look for any “flaws” in your treatment to devalue your claim and protect their profits. By getting a medical report right away, you create a solid link between the accident and your physical condition.
2. Document everything at the scene.
The more evidence you have, the harder it will be for the insurance adjuster to play games with your settlement. Use your phone to take pictures of every vehicle involved, road conditions, and any visible injuries you may have. If there were bystanders who saw what happened, be sure to get their names and phone numbers. This raw evidence presents a clear picture of the truth that cannot be easily twisted by the other side. A lawyer will use these photos and witness statements to build a mountain of evidence that supports your side of the story.
3. Avoid giving recorded statements.
Insurance adjusters are trained to be friendly on the phone so they can trick you into saying something that will hurt your case. They don’t look for victims. They only care about their company’s bottom line. They may ask you how you’re feeling, and if you say “I’m fine” out of habit, they’ll use that against you later to prove you’re not hurt. A Connecticut personal injury lawyer will combat these games by handling all communications for you. They use several strategies to keep you safe:
- Direct Representation: Your attorney tells the insurer to stop calling you and just talk to the law firm.
- Limited Information: They provide only the facts required by law without providing additional details.
- Reviewing documents: Your lawyer reads each paper before you sign it to make sure you are not giving up your rights.
- Deny recording: They will advise you to skip the recorded interview so as not to distort your words.
- Collecting Evidence: They ensure that the insurer sees the full extent of your losses so that they cannot ignore your pain.
4. Don’t accept the first offer.
The first check the insurance company offers is almost always a “lowball” offer designed to get you out of the way quickly. They hope you’re desperate for cash and before you know how much your future medical care will cost. Once you sign that paper, you can never ask for more money, even if you need surgery later. Your Bridgeport personal injury attorney will fight to make sure you get a settlement that not only covers your current bills, but your long-term needs.
5. Be smart on social media
Insurance companies often hire investigators to look at your social media accounts after you file a claim. If you post a photo of yourself smiling at a family dinner or walking your dog, they’ll use it as proof that your life is back to normal. They want to show that you are exaggerating your injuries in court. It is best to set your accounts to private or stop posting altogether until your case is resolved.
Understanding the Statute of Limitations in Connecticut
For most personal injury cases in Connecticut, you have two years from the date of injury to file your lawsuit. Although two years seems like a long time, it goes by quickly when you focus on medical treatment and physical therapy. There are also shorter deadlines if your accident is in a government vehicle or on a city sidewalk in Bridgeport. Starting your case early allows your attorney to find fresh evidence and talk to witnesses before they forget important details.
Contact a Bridgeport injury attorney today.
You shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s mistakes when you’re struggling to recover. Getting professional help on your own behalf levels the playing field against the big insurance companies that have teams of lawyers working for them. Taking the right steps today will ensure that your family is taken care of and your bills are paid.
