With the pressure of lost wages and medical bills weighing down on you after your car accident, you need to find a way to secure financial stability. That’s hard to do as you’re trying to navigate your newfound challenges, especially since you’re feeling the strain of the physical pain, emotional trauma, and psychological toll of your accident.
Although you might feel overwhelmed right now, help in the form of a personal injury lawsuit is available. If you succeed on one of these claims, then you might be able to not only recover the compensation that you need to spur your recovery forward, but you could also find the accountability and closure that you need to feel like justice has been served.
That said, as you prepare to head into the legal arena, you need to be careful, as there are several mistakes that can be made after a car accident and in the preparation for litigation that could prove costly.
Mistakes to avoid in your car accident personal injury case
Without realizing it, many car accident victims end up causing damage to their own personal injury cases. Here are some mistakes that they make that you’ll want to be sure to avoid:
- Neglecting medical care: The ultimate recovery in your personal injury case is going to depend on the damages that you can show. If you forego medical treatment, either initially or on a follow up basis, then it’s going to be hard to show the full extent of the harm that’s been caused to you. So, don’t try to act tougher than you are. Seek out the treatment that you need and follow your doctor’s recommendations.
- Inadequately documenting the accident: If possible, you should document the accident scene and your recollection of the accident itself. This includes taking pictures of the accident scene and damage caused to vehicles, as well as writing down witness statements. If you can’t do that yourself, then have a family member or friend help you. Also, be sure to document how your injuries make you feel and how they limit your ability to enjoy life, as this can be powerful evidence in demonstrating your non-economic damages.
- Talking too freely to insurance representatives: The insurance company might seem like they’re your friend, offering to help you in your time of need, but they’re really looking for a way to deny or limit your claim. Therefore, regardless of how friendly the insurance company seems, be careful with what you say to them. Stick to the facts and avoid making statements that sound like you’re to blame for the accident.
- Posting on social media: Although social media can be a great outlet, it can also pose a risk during a personal injury lawsuit. The defense might use your posts to show that your injuries aren’t as severe as you claim them to be, or they might use statements that you made online to show that you’ve been inconsistent and therefore shouldn’t be trusted when you testify in your case. It’s best if you just stay away from social media until your case is over.
Build a strong legal strategy going into your personal injury case
There are a lot of errors that can be made when developing a personal injury claim. By being diligent in your preparation, though, you can avoid them while building an aggressive case that seeks to recover what you’re owed.
If you’re ready to learn more about what you can do to build the strong personal injury case you want, then now is the time to further your research, increase your knowledge, and surround yourself with any support that you may need along the way.
