After an injury, the road to recovery physically is already a challenge throw in your financial difficulties and dealing with a personal injury claim and you’re just piling more on. Dealing with the stress of healing while navigating a complex legal proceeding means it’s really easy to make mistakes that could negatively affect the outcome of your claim. Here’s 7 critical mistakes that you need to avoid during your Seattle personal injury claim treatment. This list was created from legal expertise and real-world experiences to make sure that your recovery is also your best strategy.
1. Not Seeking Immediate Medical Attention
Your first, and probably the worst mistake you could make is not getting immediate medical attention after the accident. It doesn’t matter how severe you think your injuries are, you need an immediate medical examination. This is vital for your health and well-being. Adrenaline and shock can mask pain. So, this immediate medical examination allows you to get accurately diagnosed and start the appropriate treatment. For example, a minor headache can be a symptom of a more severe condition like a concussion or internal bleeding. Medical conditions like this require prompt diagnosis and treatment so you’re not looking forward to long-term or permanent damage. It’s well known that patients who delay treatment for traumatic injuries could experience significantly longer recovery periods and poorer overall outcomes than those who get immediate care.
When it comes to your personal injury claim, this first medical examination right after the incident serves as concrete evidence of the injuries that you sustained. This is the medical record that links your injuries directly to the accident. This link is the first thing that insurance companies and defendants will challenge.
2. Underestimating the Impact of Your Injuries
It’s natural for people to downplay their injuries. This is usually due to a combination of shock, adrenaline, and sometimes, and in a desire to appear strong or unburdened. They do this for themselves, they do this for medical professionals, often in the hope that their injuries are less serious than they actually appear. Playing into this hope and understating your injuries can significantly harm your claim. Lessening your injuries could lead to receiving less compensation than what you need for a full recovery. You need to accurately report the extent of your discomfort and your limitations to ensure that your medical records fully reflect your condition. Your medical records are essential for a fair settlement or court award.
3. Failing to Follow Medical Advice
Ignoring or only partially following your healthcare provider’s recommendations can hurt both your health and your claim. From an insurance company’s perspective, this non-compliance is an indication to them that your injuries aren’t as severe as you claimed they were or, that you’re not making an effort to mitigate your damages. In order to ensure your recovery and that your claim remains on solid ground, you need to make sure you follow your treatment plan strictly and attend all of your follow-up appointments.
4. Overlooking the Psychological Impact
After being in a car accident that resulted in injury, it’s not uncommon to suffer from psychological distress. This can manifest in something as severe PTSD, to anxiety, and depression. A lot of people don’t want to admit to having psychological distress but not doing so can harm your case. Neglecting the mental and emotional toll of your injury could lead you to underestimate your claim’s value. Recognizing and treating these psychological effects is a huge part of your overall recovery, but also make sure that even these aspects of your accident are considered in your claim.
5. Not Keeping Detailed Records
You need comprehensive documentation of everything related to your injury and treatment. Make sure you keep and get copies of all of your medical records, receipts, keep a diary of your physical and emotional state, missed worked days, and how the injury affects your daily life. Keeping detailed records like this only strengthens your case by providing a very clear picture of how the injury has impacted your life.
6. Posting on Social Media
Our world is greatly connected by the Internet. It’s become natural to share our life experiences on social media. However, when you’re in the middle of a personal injury claim, it’s in your best interest to refrain from posting anything related to your injury. Both insurance companies and defense attorneys will use your social media to find evidence that contradicts your claim. They’ll use your photos and posts to try and suggest that you’re less injured than you claim. While you may think your post is normal it could be easily twisted against you so it’s best not to post anything until your case is over.
7. Settling Too Quickly
After an accident, most people just want it over as fast as possible. They want to move on and forward with their life. This leads people to feel tempted to settle their claims quickly. However, this may lead you to the mistake to accept the first offer from an insurance company. Initial offers are rarely reflective of the full value of your claim. You need to fully understand the extent of your injuries and their long-term implications before you settle. A premature settlement could leave you without the funds you need to complete your recovery. It may be in your best interest to look for guidance from an expert personal injury attorney to make sure you get what you deserve.
Conclusion
There are some careful consideration and best practices to make sure you get the best outcome for your personal injury claim. Your first step should be to avoid these seven mistakes. Doing this means you safeguard your health and your legal rights. It means you’re laying a nice strong foundation for your recovery and your compensation. Remember, consulting with a personal injury attorney can provide you with invaluable guidance that could help you avoid these pitfalls and get the justice and compensation you deserve.