If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to make a personal injury claim for compensation to help recover costs from the accident. However, it is important to be mindful of the actions that you take after an accident or injury, so you don’t jeopardize your claim.
Here are some common mistakes that personal injury clients make.
Not Seeking Medical Treatment Immediately
If you’re injured, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible from the nearest ER or urgent care center. Even if you are feeling fine, you may have injuries that arise in the future due to the incident. Seeking treatment from a doctor provides documentation for any injuries, which can help your claim.
Not Documenting the Incident
If possible, take photos or notes at the scene of the incident. If you are physically unable to do this yourself, ask the nearest trusted person to do it. Photographic and video evidence, along with witness statements, can help support your story, especially if the other party involved has a different version.
Posting About the Accident on Social Media Accounts
If you do take photos — of either the accident scene or your injuries — do not share them on any social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, etc. Words and photos that you post can be used against you to negatively impact your claim. For example, if you were in a car accident and you post that you were in a “fender bender,” the opposing party may claim that your injuries are not as serious as you reported because your verbiage implied it was a minor accident.
Giving Too Much Information to the Other Party’s Insurance
The other party’s insurance may contact you for a statement about your version of events. You have no obligation to speak with them. Your best interest is not their intention. They may try to get you to minimize the accident and/or injuries from it, admit to some fault, convince you that the value of your claim is lower than it actually is, make an offer of settlement, or learn about past medical conditions to use against you. If you are unsure what to say, tell them that it’s not a good time to talk and consult a lawyer or give them the number of your lawyer.
Not Hiring a Lawyer
Filing a legal claim can be complex for a person who is unfamiliar with the law. A personal injury attorney will know the limitations on when a claim can be filed, will be able to provide expert witnesses (if necessary), and will develop a strategy that is in your best interest, whether your claim is settled or goes to trial.
Assuming All Lawyers are the Same
When you decide to hire legal representation, do not assume that every lawyer is the same. Just as doctors each have expertise in different areas of medicine, lawyers specialize in different fields. Do your research on potential lawyers, including examining their history of representation in cases similar to yours, their practice areas and success record, and any honors or awards they have received.
If you are looking for a West Palm Beach, Florida personal injury lawyer call Ted Babbitt for a free consultation and an honest assessment of your case at (561) 375-2841. Ted has won multi-million dollar settlements in matters including medical malpractice, car accidents, product liability, and other mass tort and personal injury matters.