After a person is injured because of someone else’s negligence, they may want to consider pursuing legal action to fight for justice and financial compensation. However, this process can prove complicated in many instances, and the case may draw evidence from the injured person’s statements and actions in the immediate aftermath of an accident. This is one reason that a person needs to be particularly careful about what he or she says to the police or an insurance company after an injury.
If you have sustained an injury in an accident caused by another party’s negligence or recklessness, you may be eligible to file a civil lawsuit in the matter. To discuss your options with an experienced advisor, contact a St. Louis injury attorney from the Finney Law Office at 314-646-0300 today.
Simple Mistakes with Serious Consequences
In the moments after an injury accident, a victim’s emotions are likely to be running high and it is natural to feel some degree of frustration and anger. However, remaining calm is essential because simple mistakes in these moments can dramatically interfere with your later civil case.
#1: Do Not Apologize
A major misstep many people take after an accident is to immediately apologize for the accident. Although this is a common knee-jerk reaction to a serious or tragic event, empathy for the other party can be mistakenly be seen as an admission of fault.
#2: Do Not Include Unnecessary Details or Opinions in a Report
When a person provides their side of the story, it is important to leave out details or options that do not speak directly to the events of the accident. Insurance and police reports do not need to record unnecessary details.
#3: Do Not Claim That You Are Not Injured if You Are Unsure
An accident may trigger a surge of adrenaline and can prevent an injury victim from detecting the presence of injuries. Internal bleeding and even some bone fractures may not become apparent until several days after an accident. As a result, a person should refrain from claiming that they were not injured unless they have already been examined by a paramedic or physician who has confirmed this.
Contact Us
If you have been injured because of someone else’s negligence, there may be legal options available to you. To learn more the compensation to which you may be entitled, contact a St. Louis injury lawyer from the Finney Law Office by calling 314-646-0300 today.