No matter the measures we take to avoid physical or emotional harm to our reputation or our bodies, the misfortune of personal injury is sometimes unavoidable.
If you’re concerned about whether you’re going to be fairly compensated for your injuries in a personal injury claim, make sure you pay attention to a few Do’s and Don’ts for the success of your case.
Do – Gather as much evidence as possible. Take pictures of your injuries and the accident scene and be sure to get contact information for any witnesses or anyone else who came on the scene.
Don’t – Wait until later to seek critical information. The fresher and more recent the evidence you gather about your injury, the better. It will be challenging to go back and recall what happened after the fact. If you or a family member can’t get a police report and immediate photos of the incident, do so as soon as physically possible.
Do – Understand negligence. In many personal injury cases, one person can be at more fault than the other; it’s important you’re aware of the degree to which you may be responsible for your own injuries. The results of your case could depend on the laws of negligence and on contributory vs. comparative negligence, so make sure you understand the difference.
Don’t – Talk with the insurance company or give a statement until you seek legal advice. Also, don’t assume the right to compensation based on being “less at fault.” Sometimes personal injury isn’t so straightforward. In some cases, being at all at fault can deny you any compensation. The more you understand about fault and how you may be at fault, the better equipped you are to deal with these issues in your case, before you talk with the insurance company.
Do – Research the full value of your claim. There are multiple types of damages you can sue for, and you should be aware of all of them. Your case doesn’t have to only revolve around one or two types of damages.
Don’t – Accept the first offer. The first offer is rarely ever the largest amount that the other party is willing to pay.
Do – Listen to your doctor. Answer all questions honestly and adhere to the rules and recommendations given by your doctor following an accident.
Don’t – Steer away from your instructed treatment, as this could be used to suggest that your injuries are less severe or perhaps non-existent.
Do – Cooperate with your lawyer. As with your doctor, you must answer all of your lawyer’s questions truthfully as well.
Don’t – Hide information from your lawyer. You must fully disclose former injuries, medical history, criminal background, and other factors that could come up in your case.
Consider having Kelly & West on your side to maximize your claim with decades of experience and extensive knowledge in personal injury specifically. The sooner you contact us, the more effective we can be. As stated above, it’s best not to wait. You can use live chat on our website or call us at 910-893-8183.
