What NOT to do If Injured in an Accident

After you are injured in an accident, you may face a challenge from the other party’s insurance company as to the legitimacy of your injury. You may also have to prove the extent of your injuries as well as the timing of your injuries in court. Therefore, there are certain actions that you should refrain from after being hurt in any kind of an accident.

Don’t Post Anything to Social Media About Your Case

Do not post anything at all regarding your case on social media sites such as Facebook or Twitter. You also don’t want to say anything about the case through email or text message. Remember, anything that you post can and will be used against you in court. The lawyers for the other parties in the case will spend time perusing all social media and other relevant internet sites for incriminating information. Examples of potentially incriminating posts include posting pictures of yourself carrying heavy items after claiming a back injury or taking a trip after claiming that you were bedridden.

Don’t Wait to See a Doctor

The first thing that you need to do after an accident is see a doctor. A doctor will make a note as to when and why you came to see him or her. This proves that you thought your injuries after the accident were severe enough to seek attention and were the reason why you suffered them. If you don’t seek care immediately after the accident, the other side could claim that you sought treatment for a pre-existing injury or an injury that occurred at some other time after the accident.

Don’t Wait to Hire an Attorney

After you get medical treatment, your next phone call should be to an attorney. Most attorneys offer free consultations in personal injury cases, which means you don’t have to spend any money just to ask for advice. If you feel like a particular attorney is a right fit for you and your case, you should hire that person quickly. Generally, legal counsel is paid after the case is settled. In the event that you lose, it may not be necessary to pay your Los Angeles personal injury lawyer.

Don’t Accept the Insurance Company’s First Offer

The insurance company of the liable party is going to offer you a settlement on the spot or soon after they think you are going to sue. However, this offer is much less than what you may be able to get from a jury or from a settlement negotiated by your lawyer. Therefore, you should never accept this offer or seriously entertain it before talking to legal counsel.

Don’t Wait to File a Lawsuit

You generally have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit in the state of New York. If you wait longer than that, your case could be dismissed. This means that you will not be entitled to any compensation even if you were hurt because of another person’s negligence. In some cases, failing to file such a lawsuit may prevent family members for suing for loss of affection. It is important to note that you can still settle the case outside of court before or during any court trial that may take place.

After an accident, you have a serious of decisions that could make or break your case. Make sure that you see a doctor, talk to an attorney and file a lawsuit as soon as possible. Otherwise, all you need to do is stay quiet and let your attorney do what he or she needs to in an effort to resolve the case in your favor as soon as possible.