If you were hurt in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you might be eligible for compensation according to personal injury law. Filing a claim allows you to be awarded both economic and non-economic damages, like income lost from missing work, your pain and suffering, property damage, and anything that can be attributed to another individual’s negligence.
When handling legal issues, you shouldn’t forget that your actions can have an impact on your compensation, and you should be careful if you don’t want to be the reason behind your claim’s dismissal. Here are a few things you can do to help your injury case.
Obtain Evidence
Physical evidence from the scene of an accident can help you prove who’s the at-fault party, which is one of the most important factors when negotiating with insurance companies. Taking pictures and recording videos that accurately show your injuries and everyone else involved can make your legal battle easier while increasing your chances of receiving a fair settlement offer.
If a neutral third party was present when the accident took place, you should collect their statement and ask for their contact information. They’ll be considered an eyewitness and can testify on your behalf in court, which could convince a jury that you need the maximum amount of compensation to take care of all damages caused by another’s negligent actions.
Seek Medical Attention
Don’t skip this step because you don’t feel pain or see immediately visible damage on your body. Delayed symptoms are common in concussions and other brain injuries, and internal damage is not easily spotted without a doctor’s knowledge and tools. If you neglect medical treatment, you’re putting your health and your finances in danger.
A doctor’s examination also allows you to obtain medical records that can be used to prove how your injuries are a direct consequence of an accident.
Suppose you’re missing work because of your pain. In that case, healthcare professionals can release a statement that describes your treatment and why you’re losing income as a result of what happened, which is an element that will be included in your compensation.
Avoid Social Media
After an accident, it’s always best to avoid social media until you’ve been compensated. A simple action like posting a picture, declaring that you’re participating in an event or a comment from family members could be used as evidence and paint you in a negative light. The last thing you want is to make it seem like you’re exaggerating when speaking with adjusters.
A constant online presence can contradict your statements about your injuries. If you want to make sure that your claim doesn’t lose value, you shouldn’t discuss your case with anyone but a lawyer, as these professionals have your best interests in mind and won’t share them by mistake with individuals who want to deny your claim.
Contact an Orange County Personal Injury Attorney
The best way to help your injury claim, beyond the above steps, is to speak with a personal injury lawyer. Our team at Kohan & Bablove, Injury Attorneys is aware of all the actions that could hurt your claim and will proceed on your behalf to prevent insurance companies from taking advantage.
No one should suffer because of another individual’s mistakes. Our knowledgeable attorneys are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. To connect with our team for a free consultation, you can give our office a call at 949.535.1341 or fill out the online contact form below.
