3 Mistakes that Could Ruin Your Personal Injury Case

Being hurt physically or emotionally isn’t the sole basis for a personal injury case. There are also times when people suffer real injuries and have the grounds for a personal injury case but destroy their ability to pursue it. Here are three mistakes that could ruin your personal injury claim. We’ll also explain why these mistakes are detrimental to your legal case.

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Hoping It Just Gets Better

Waiting is a mistake when it comes to personal injury cases. For example, waiting weeks to seek medical care hoping you’ll feel better increases the odds the person responsible can claim any intermediary event is actually to blame for the injury.

Then there’s the fact that your health could be adversely impacted. If you think you’ve been injured, arrange for a doctor’s visit as soon as possible to assess the injuries. The only exception is if it is an emergency, at which point, seek medical attention. If you were already treated by first responders at the scene of an accident and still suffer,as a result, get another medical opinion. The first responders’ job was to ensure that you didn’t need life-saving medical attention, not diagnose and treat whiplash and other soft tissue injuries.

Not Telling Your Doctor Everything

Sometimes people seek medical attention but don’t tell the doctor everything. They may not admit to embarrassing symptoms, though this may be necessary for a proper diagnosis. If you still suffer from these symptoms later and try to cite them during a personal injury case, the lack of mention of them in the medical records right after the accident hurts your case.

Another mistake is not telling your doctor about any pre-existing health conditions or injuries. For example, if you were injured at a game a few days before a fight and don’t differentiate between which bruises or broken bones are related to which, you undermine your credibility when this comes out at trial.

Not Seeking Legal Advice Immediately

It is a major mistake to try to represent yourself when you have a personal injury case. Your odds of winning the case are infinitesimal compared to the odds of winning when you have an ace personal injury attorney by your side.

It is critical to get legal advice as soon as you realize you have a personal injury case. For example, an attorney can navigate the complex matters of negotiating with your health insurance company and the courts. The attorney can collect all of the necessary documentation for you once you give them permission to do so.

And when you have legal counsel, you won’t make the mistake of talking to the insurance company without guidance and accidentally saying something that weakens your case. Or, in a worst-case scenario, you may accidentally accept a partial settlement when you are owed much more.

Conclusion

If you have a potential personal injury case, the first step is to seek medical attention for your injuries and receive an assessment. The second step is to seek legal counsel to guide you through this complex process while minimizing the chance of making mistakes.