Lake Forest Train Accident Attorney

Few experiences are as confusing and traumatic as a serious personal injury. This is especially true if the injury happens in an unlikely scenario such as a locomotive crash. Our train accident attorneys in Lake Forest are here to help injury victims and their families pursue the compensation they need to cover healthcare costs, lost income, and other damages. No money will be due upfront, and no attorneys’ fees will be charged unless we prevail. For a free case review, call us today at 1-800-GO-HARRIS.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filing Your Claim

Collect evidence, type up a statement, and fill out the necessary paperwork; on the surface, filing a personal injury claim looks like a simple process. But if you’ve had to deal with insurers before, you may know that even an open-and-shut case can turn into a never-ending ordeal. Insurance companies are reluctant to pay out claims as every settlement affects their bottom line. While you might think you have a watertight case, claims adjusters are adept at sniffing out contradictions, missteps, and other issues that could compromise your case. Our train accident lawyers in Lake Forest are familiar with the strategies employed by providers to reduce or deny claims, and can help counter or circumvent disputes if they arise. Our team will help guide you through this process, but until then, it’s important that you take steps to avoid common missteps that may impact the outcome of your claim:

• Do Not Post About Your Case Online: Whether it’s a description of how the accident took place, pictures of your injuries, or a throwaway comment about settlement negotiations, your social media activity can have a devastating impact on your case. Investigators hired by insurance companies and rival parties may dig through your social media accounts to unearth any evidence that could be used to challenge your claim. For instance, it may just be a photo of you enjoying yourself at a party, but in the hands of an insurance company, this happy snapshot could be used as evidence to argue that you are exaggerating your injuries. It’s advised that you deactivate your social media accounts until your case has concluded.

• Do Provide a Recorded Statement: In the wake of an accident, the insurer may contact you for a recorded statement. It seems like an innocent request—after all, they just want a firsthand account of what happened—but these phone calls are often used by insurance adjusters to gather evidence that can later be used to challenge your claim. For instance, you may inadvertently admit fault for contributing to the accident, or you could downplay the extent of your injuries. Used out of context, these statements could be enough to dispute liability, causation, or damages. Our team will handle any correspondence with the insurance company so you don’t accidentally hurt your claim.

• Do Not Forego Medical Treatment: Maybe it’s just a scratch or a small bruise; it doesn’t seem worth your time to schedule a doctor’s appointment. But foregoing a medical assessment after an accident is a costly mistake if you plan to seek damages. The insurance company could argue that by skipping this step, you did not make sufficient efforts to mitigate damages and therefore are at least partially liable for the costs you incurred.

Can I Post About My Train Accident Case on Social Media?

From birthdays to promotions to your new fitness goals, social media has become a place to share life’s important events. It’s unsurprising that many victims of serious accidents turn to this digital space for emotional support, guidance, and to vent their frustrations. But in the wake of a serious accident, it might not just be your friends and family reading your posts. Insurance companies or opposing parties might hire investigators to monitor your social media activity to sniff out any pictures, posts, or updates that could be used as evidence to challenge your claim. Thinking of posting? Here’s what to avoid:

• Never Discuss the Accident: After a serious accident, your friends and family will most likely be curious to find out what happened to you. While making a post is one of the simplest ways to keep everyone in the loop, your comments might contradict the other evidence in your case. You may also inadvertently admit fault. If this information falls into the wrong hands, you could be giving ammunition to opposing parties to dispute liability, causation, and damages, potentially prolonging proceedings or reducing your financial award.

• Scrap the Snapshots: Maybe it’s just a picture of you enjoying a picnic at the park, going wine tasting, or blowing out candles on your birthday cake, but these seemingly innocent snapshots could sink your claim. For instance, the insurance company could use these images to assert that you are exaggerating your pain and suffering. It doesn’t matter if you were gritting your teeth through the pain and forcing a smile for the camera; in the hands of an opposing party, these images could cost you thousands of dollars. Not only should you avoid uploading images to your social media accounts, but you should also ask friends and family not to tag you in their own snapshots.

• Ignore New Friend Requests: Investigators hired by insurance companies and opposing parties may employ a wide variety of strategies to gain access to evidence that could be used to dispute your claim. One of these tactics may involve sending you a friend request. Once accepted, these individuals will have free rein to comb through your past and future posts. You should not accept new connection requests until your case has concluded.

Set up a Free Consultation with a Train Accident Lawyer in Lake Forest, California

You can reach us 24 hours a day by calling 1-800-GO-HARRIS or sending a message HERE. A member of our team can come to you if you cannot come to us.