If you've been injured due to someone else's negligence, such as a car injury from a drunk driver, you may be interested in pursuing a personal injury case so that you can get compensation for medical bills, lost wages, etc. You'll want to reach out to a personal injury lawyer to go over your exact case details. In the meantime, here are three tips to help you navigate your case so that you have the best chance of receiving compensatory damages.
Don't Settle Right Away Since Some Injuries Can Worsen Over Time
You may be tempted to settle your case right away if the at-fault party's insurance company offers you a sum of money and asks you to sign a release of any claims. You shouldn't sign anything right away. You should first get fully evaluated by a medical professional and reach out to a lawyer. The problem with some injuries, like soft tissue injuries, is that their severity and/or symptoms may not show up right away or even be visible on X-rays. If you decide to settle right away, you may be out of luck down the road for compensation for any new symptoms related to your injuries.
Gather as Much Pertinent Medical Evidence as You Can
You cannot go overboard with gathering medical evidence, as these resources are vital to supporting your claim. Medical evidence is not limited to but can include:
- Medical bills and estimated costs for future treatments
- Incident reports from the scene of the accident
- Doctor's notes and patient notes
- Photos of the injuries and/or accident scene
- Diagnostic materials, such as bloodwork, imaging tests, etc.
- Information for ongoing medical therapies, such as physical or occupational therapy
- Emergency room and hospital records
Again, you'll want to reach out to a personal injury lawyer, as they can help you navigate the medical field and help you gather relevant documents.
Reduce Your Social Media Usage
You may be tempted to update family and friends on your progress over social media, but you shouldn't post anything related to your personal injury case because any photos or posts could be used to oppose your claim. For example, if you publish a photo of your family out skiing, the opposing counsel could argue that you took the photo and were engaging in this physical activity despite your injuries. You may want to reassure family and friends of your recovery, but the opposing counsel may say that these posts reveal that your injuries aren't as severe as you claim.
These are just a few tips to help you with your personal injury case. Reach out to a personal injury lawyer today for more information.
