Personal Injury Claims: 4 Common Mistakes to Avoid

A person's feet in a wheelchair


If you have been injured by someone else’s negligence, such as in a traffic accident, a slip and fall, or any other kind of personal injury claim, protecting your health and your claim are paramount. Toward this end, there are 4 common mistakes that you should carefully avoid. One of the most important steps you can take, however, is reaching out to an experienced Texas and New Mexico personal injury attorney. 

One: Delaying Medical Attention

The worst error you can make after being injured in an accident is failing to seek the medical attention that you need. The anxiety, confusion, and adrenaline rush that are common to such accidents can mask the signs of physical injury, and some injuries are slow to present with symptoms in the first place. The sooner you obtain medical attention after being involved in an accident of any magnitude, the better off you are. 

Two: Chronicling Your Case on Social Media

We have become so accustomed to posting everything that happens to us on Facebook and other social media platforms that it seems only natural to share after being injured in an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence. This practice, however, is ill-advised. The insurance company handling your case is watching – and waiting for you to post a picture or make a comment that it can use to discredit your claim. No matter how innocent or neutral you believe your posts are, it’s best to give social media a break while your claim is pending. 

Three: Accepting an Early Settlement Offer

You have been injured, and all of the following apply:

  • Your medical expenses are on the rise.
  • Your earnings are plummeting.
  • You’ve been forced to endure considerable physical and psychic pain 

Many people in your situation are all too willing to accept an early settlement offer out of sheer desperation. Accepting an offer before you know the full extent of your damages, however, can leave you with inadequate compensation. The insurance company is well aware of your financial predicament and is not above using it to its own advantage. Never accept a settlement offer until after you’ve discussed the matter with your dedicated personal injury attorney.  

Four: Missing Important Deadlines

The aftereffects of an accident that leaves you injured can be overwhelming, and focusing on recovering your health and well-being may be about as much as you can deal with. Personal injury claims are complicated legal matters with exacting deadlines that include statutes of limitations, which limit the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. In Texas, you have two years from the date of the injury-causing accident to file a case, and in New Mexico, you have three years. 

Injured by Someone Else’s Negligence? Contact Salam & Associates for a Free Consultation Today

The seasoned personal injury attorneys at Salam & Associates – with offices in both Richardson, Texas, and Las Cruces, New Mexico – are well positioned and well prepared to help you resolve your claim as favorably as possible. To learn more, schedule a free consultation by contacting or calling us at 866-640-8998 today.

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