Mistakes to Avoid in Personal Injury Cases

Personal injury claims are a useful legal avenue for those who have been injured by the negligence or wrongful acts of another to receive compensation for their injuries. For the plaintiff, a personal injury suit is a way for him or her recover from an injury, but the defense will try to discredit the claim. A defendant does not want to be found liable for an injury and will do copious amounts of research to discredit a personal injury claim. Both the defendant and his or her insurance company will explore every facet of the claim to find a flaw. This means that there is the possibility that your own personal life will be scrutinized to look for any evidence that there is no injury. As such, it is important to avoid making the following mistakes during a personal injury suit.
Speaking to an Insurance Adjuster
After an injury, it is not uncommon for an insurance company to reach out to talk about the injury with you. However, it is important to take to an insurance adjuster without legal representation. What you might think is a simple conversation could be a fishing expedition for information to use against you. After an accident, you might be in a state of shock and unaware of what you are saying. Avoid talking to others before speaking with an attorney.
Neglecting to Seek Medical Treatment
The premise of a personal injury suit is that there has been some sort of injury to you. Therefore, it is important to seek the help of a medical professional who can validate your injury claim. Further, delaying visiting a doctor could be seen by the insurance company or defendant as proof that there was no injury incurred.
Using Social Media Improperly
Nearly 77% of people have some sort of social media profile. Social media is a great way to connect with family and friends and share portions of your life. During a personal injury suit, however, social media us is heavily scrutinized and can negatively impact your claim. The defendant and insurance company will be looking for any posts that portray you doing an activity that would be prevented by your injury. Even a simple picture could derail an injury claim.
In addition to being conscious of what you post, it is important to be wary of engaging in conversations with others regarding your injury. A good rule of thumb is to refrain posting about your personal injury suit for the duration of the claim. Be sure to update privacy settings so that people you do not know do not have access to your profiles.
After an injury, it is important to reach out to an experienced personal injury attorney. The attorneys at Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. are here to help you in all aspects of a personal injury claim. In addition to making sure your claim is properly filed and handled, we can answer questions regarding what actions you should and should not take. Contact us today for a consultation.