Getting injured due to the actions or negligence of another person is frustrating at best. But it is often also stressful, exhausting, and painful. You may miss work and lose wages, spend days or even weeks recovering from your injuries, and struggle to get your life back in order after the accident. With that in mind, it is only fair that you receive compensation by filing a personal injury case.
However, even if the evidence lines up and it is obvious that the accident is not your fault, you may still be able to sabotage your own case altogether. According to experienced personal injury lawyers, here are the things that can ruin your chances of winning the case, as well as the ways to avoid them.
- Lying about your injuries
Whatever you do, do not lie about your injuries or anything about the case, be it to your doctor, your lawyer, the insurance company, or anyone else involved. This includes not exaggerating your injuries for the sake of increasing your compensation. There might be a chance that you could get away with it, but the chances of someone finding out your untruthfulness are often greater. Don’t test your luck; you could end up not getting the compensation you deserve, or worse, not get any compensation at all.
- Waiting too long
One of the most common mistakes that people make when filing a personal injury case is waiting too long to do it. If you get injured due to someone else’s fault, take action as soon as possible. Go to the doctor to get your injuries checked, at the very least. But as much as possible, speak to a lawyer about filing a personal injury case.
There is a statute of limitations that states how long a person can file a personal injury case against another person or business. If you go beyond that limitation, you may not be able to file a case no matter what you do.
- Not getting medical treatment
If you get into an accident, even if it’s just a simple slip-and-fall, it is best to go to a doctor right away. Some people do not feel the effects of the accident after a few days or even weeks, and sometimes, the injuries have gotten worse at that point. So, even if you don’t feel injured or don’t think that the injuries are serious, seek medical treatment right away.
A doctor will be able to examine you for injuries and recommend proper treatment if they find any. If you wait too long or don’t go to a doctor at all, you could be putting your health at risk.
Furthermore, your personal injury case will be stronger if you seek medical treatment right away. Your doctor will document your injuries and this documentation will help you get the compensation that you deserve. Furthermore, the insurance company cannot argue that your injuries were aggravated by something else or waiting too long to get medical help.
- Ignoring medical recommendations
Aside from going to the doctor immediately after the accident, you also have to follow their orders or recommendations to avoid exacerbating your injuries. Attend follow-up assessments, take medication as instructed, avoid certain physical activity, and let your doctor know if you experience other symptoms or out-of-place pain.
- Talking to an insurance company before a lawyer
Insurance companies are businesses, and so, they want to pay claims for as little as possible or deny them altogether. That said, they may try to use your words against you if you talk to them first before you talk to a lawyer. With that in mind, it is in your best interests to talk to a lawyer first who can prevent you from compromising the case and help you take the best actions possible.
- Posting on social media
The things that you post on the Internet can be used against you in a court of law, which means that if you post a selfie of you on vacation after your accident, the insurance company can argue that you are exaggerating your injuries or are have not sustained an injury at all. Similarly, you could land in hot water if you post about the accident itself, so don’t post anything on social media until your claim is settled to be safe.
Your next actions following an accident can affect your chances of getting fair compensation or even getting compensation at all. Protect yourself from possible arguments that can be used against you by avoiding these things until your personal injury claim is settled. More importantly, hire a reputable personal injury lawyer to ensure that you are taking the right steps.
