Dealing with the aftermath of a personal injury accident is never easy, especially given that your injuries were caused by the fault of another party. Missing work, struggling to pay medical bills (and other bills), and many other factors are often stresses that victims experience.
That is why it is best to hire a personal injury lawyer to handle your legal matters for you so they can get you back to where you need to be physically, emotionally, and financially. However, when doing so, you need to be extra careful about some of the actions you take to protect your best interests.
In fact, there are many things that you should avoid after an accident, as these certain problems can result in minimizing your claim, ultimately resulting in less compensation in the long run.
At Fiore Legal, our team is highly experienced in providing the legal guidance our clients need to make sure that they do not jeopardize their claim after an accident. In this blog, you will learn about things you should not do when filing a personal injury claim.
Not telling the truth
One of the most important things to do after an accident is to avoid lying to the insurance companies--whether it’s your own insurance company or the at-fault driver’s insurance company. This can ultimately hurt your case, as the insurance companies will be doing a lot of investigating into your case to ensure you are not lying about your case. If either insurance company finds out you are lying, your entire case can be voided and/or you can potentially be charged with insurance fraud.
Exaggerating your injuries
Exaggerating your injuries is also a form of not telling the truth. Therefore, do not exaggerate your injuries even when speaking to doctors about your injuries. You should always be truthful about your injuries when asked by your lawyer, doctor, etc.
Waiting too long to file a claim
One of the biggest mistakes that is often seen from victims of personal injury accidents is waiting too long to file a claim. There is a statute of limitations, which means victims have a limited amount of time to file a claim from the time of the accident. In addition, it is always best to take immediate action after an accident so any and all evidence can be easily preserved.
Avoid social media until your case is resolved
Another big mistake that personal injury victims often make is using social media in ways that can jeopardize their claim. Believe it or not, insurance adjusters are trained to find any information possible that can be used against you. This includes your social media accounts. It is best to not use social media during your ongoing claim, as they will try to find anything to hurt your claim.
Ignoring medical recommendations
After an accident, you should always seek medical attention as soon as possible, as it is crucial to your case. Additionally, you should always follow your doctor’s recommendations. You should always attend follow up appointments, take your prescription medications as advised, avoid any physical activities advised by your doctor, and take part in physical therapy. When there are gaps in treatment or no shows at appointments, this can hurt your case immensely.
Signing documents without legal representation
Lastly, always have your lawyer present when signing any legal documentation. Your lawyer is there to help you and advise you, ensuring that you make informed decisions. If you sign documents pertaining to your case without your lawyer present, then it can hurt your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve.
Contact Our Team For a Free Consultation
If you have been injured in an accident, it is best to consult with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to protect your best interests. Contact our team today for a free consultation!