Working With A Great Lawyer

Common Mistakes To Avoid In A Personal Injury Case

1 March 2022

Dianne Ellis

Nobody sets out to get injured, but accidents still happen. If you're injured in an accident that wasn't your fault, you should take the necessary steps to protect yourself.

You could file a personal injury lawsuit against the liable parties to get the compensation you deserve. However, make sure you avoid making these common mistakes when filing your claim.

Failure to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

You could derail your healing process if you try to tough it out and delay your medical treatment. Also, such delayed action could harm your case down the road. An insurance company may argue that your injuries are not as severe as you claim. They could also insist your injuries resulted from a pre-existing condition or something that happened after the accident.

For this reason, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible – even if your injuries don't appear to be too serious. You can even document your injuries and medical treatment after your accident. These records can help prove the following:

• The severity and nature of your injuries
• The duration and estimated cost of your medical treatment
• The date when you suffered your injuries

If you try to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company on your own, you risk being shortchanged. Be sure to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can handle the negotiations on your behalf. If necessary, your lawyer can take your case to court and use your medical records as evidence to support your claim.

Signing Documents Without Legal Counsel

Many people assume that handling matters without an attorney saves them money on legal fees. However, in reality, you could be signing away your legal rights without even realizing it.

For example, if you sign a document that says you will not pursue any legal action, you may be unable to do so in the future if you feel you deserve more compensation. In case you undervalue your injuries, you might not have any legal standing to ask for additional compensation with such a clause.

Remember that anything you sign during the claim process can significantly impact your case. That's why you need a licensed personal injury lawyer to review any documents before you sign them.

Posting Details on Social Media

You might want to avoid sharing details about your accident on social media. Anything you post can be used against you in court. For example, if you post a picture of you smiling on the hospital bed, the defense could argue that your injuries aren't as serious as you claim.

Even if you don't post about the accident, anything you share online could still be used against you. For example, if you post about your happy weekend plans, the defense could argue that you're not actually suffering from any injuries.

Be mindful of what you post online and keep your social media accounts private until your case is resolved. If you're unsure whether something could harm your case, you might want to err on the side of caution and avoid posting it altogether.

For more information, contact a personal injury lawyer in your area.  

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