During a lawsuit of any kind, the opposing party will have the goal to discredit your information and make you look like the at fault party. It’s important you understand how the things that you say and do can impact the outcome of your personal injury case…starting from the very moment the injury occurs.
During your initial consultation with your personal injury attorney, the attorney will likely discuss some things you should or shouldn’t do during the time span of your case. The advice your attorney gives, should be followed as closely as possible to prevent yourself from unintentionally harming the outcome of your case.
Additionally, here are some simple dos and don’ts for you to follow to help you recover the maximum amount you can for your injuries.
Things You Need to Do
Seek medical attention right away
After a personal injury occurs, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible…preferably within the first 2 days. If you wait much longer the defense could attempt to argue your injuries are the result of another unrelated incident.
Even if you believe you’re fine, you should at least get checked out; the reason for this is some internal injuries may not be discoverable to you right away; however a medical professional can diagnose them before they worsen. If nothing else, visiting a medical professional will at least document your injuries and provide you with piece of mind.
Hire a personal injury attorney
People often make the mistake of not hiring an attorney because they’re worried about the cost. They feel that they can handle things on their own. Don’t make this mistake. Most lawyers charge for personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means they don’t get paid unless you do.
Hiring a lawyer can also increase the settlement amount that you receive, as attorneys are trained and experienced negotiators. Which could result in higher settlement amounts.
Make your social media private
It is also a good idea to go ahead and ensure your social media accounts are set to private. Doing this will mean only a select group of people will be able to see the content you post. Although this is not a guarantee your information will not be seen, as a court can order access to your social media, having it set to private, may deter defense attorneys or insurance adjusters from seeing every move you make.
Keep a journal
Being involved in a personal injury case can cause a great amount of stress. This makes it extremely easy to forget things. Writing in a journal is a great way to keep up with everything that goes on. In this journal you should record anything relevant to your case such as the facts leading to the injury, hospital visits, bills, doctor names, pains you experience, etc.
Keep your attorney updated
While it’s important for your attorney to keep you updated on your case, it’s equally important you keep them updated as well. This could include anything from new symptoms you experience, medical bills, medical treatments, letters received, etc.
Be patient
Your attorney will likely need to order medical records and also work with insurance companies, which can be a time-consuming process. If you can easily obtain any of your medical records relating to your case, it’ll be cheaper and more efficient if you’re able to provide the attorney with those records.
These types of cases can take a while to resolve. They last anywhere from a few months to several years; therefore, you need to be patient with your attorney. Remember your attorney will notify you if anything important comes up regarding your case.
Record all out-of-pocket expenses
You should keep a record of all expenses you pay out of pocket as a result of your injury. This is so you can potentially be reimbursed. This record should include medical bills you’ve paid, hotel and travel expenses for medical treatment, pharmacy bills, etc.
Things You Don’t Need to Do
Don’t wait to file a claim
Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases. Alabama’s personal injury statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of injury. If you wait too long you likely won’t be able to file a claim.
Don’t exaggerate your illness or injury
You should never exaggerate your injuries when involved in a personal injury case. If the opposing party finds out your injuries aren’t as serious as you portray them to be, your credibility could possibly be destroyed.
Don’t tell anyone what you and your attorney discuss
This includes insurance adjusters. The insurance company isn’t going to want to pay for damages. For this reason, they’ll try to swindle you into admitting fault. While the insurance company does need to be notified of the accident, you shouldn’t share any specific details. Allow your attorney to handle these conversations to avoid you unknowingly oversharing information.
Don’t post on social media…and if you already have, don’t delete it.
Anything you post on social media can be used against you. Therefore, be careful not to post anything regarding the incident in question. If you’ve already posted something…don’t delete it. Additionally, even your friend’s and family member’s social media posts could cause unintentional harm to your case.
Don’t keep secrets from your attorney
Keeping secrets from your attorney will hinder your case because your attorney won’t know all the details. Even though information may not seem important to you, it may be important to your case. If you ever don’t know if something is worth sharing with your attorney, go ahead and share. This allows the attorney to decide what they should do with the information.
Never admit fault
The opposing party’s insurance carrier will try anything they can to place the blame on you rather than they’re insured. Even if the accident is clearly the other party’s fault, a simple statement can have a huge impact on the way your case plays out. If you admit any kind of fault, the defendant’s insurance company will likely deny your claim and expect your insurance to pay.
Never sign anything without attorney’s permission
Don’t sign any contract or legal document without first consulting with your attorney. It’s easy to be talked into signing things without fully understanding what you’re signing, which can negatively impact the outcome of your case. The opposing insurance company could try to get you to sign a settlement offer that is far less than the amount you are entitled to.
Conclusion
Being involved in a personal injury case can be both emotionally and mentally challenging. However, remember your attorney is there to help you along every step of the way. While your attorney will play a huge part in your case, they’ll also need your help. It’s imperative that you are aware that your own actions and words could impact the outcome of your case. Closely follow the advice and information your attorney gives you during your initial consultation to avoid hindering your case unintentionally.
If you’ve been injured, don’t hesitate to call Chris Baldwin law. We handle personal injury cases and offer free consultations. Chris will walk with you every step of the way. Click Here to schedule your free consultation. You can also schedule your free consultation simply by calling us at 334-863-4555.
To learn more, check out our article “The Simple Steps You Must Take After a Car Accident.” This article addresses simple steps you must take after a car accident to protect yourself financially…and why those simple steps are often overlooked.
Chris Baldwin Law
Looking for justice and compensation after a personal injury? Look no further than Chris Baldwin Law!
At our law firm, we understand the emotional, physical, and financial toll that a personal injury can take on you and your loved ones. Whether you’ve been injured in a car accident, slip and fall, or any other type of incident, we are here to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
Chris has extensive experience handling a wide range of personal injury cases and has helped countless clients recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. We are dedicated to fighting for your rights and interests every step of the way.
In addition to our legal expertise, we also pride ourselves on our compassionate approach to client care. We know that dealing with a personal injury can be overwhelming and stressful, which is why we are committed to providing you with the personalized attention and support you need to feel confident and empowered throughout the process.
So if you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, don’t wait another moment to seek the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, and help you understand your legal options so you can make informed decisions about your case.
Click Here to schedule your free consultation. You can also schedule your free consultation simply by calling us at 334-863-4555.
No representation is made that the quality of legal services is greater than those performed by other attorneys.