When pursuing a personal injury case, regardless of if it’s a slip and fall, medical malpractice, or a car accident, it’s important to be aware of potential mistakes that could jeopardize your chances of a successful outcome. One of these mistakes is underestimating the complexity of the legal process. Personal injury law can be intricate, and it’s extremely easy to make mistakes when navigating the legal system. While an attorney can help guide you through the process, this article can help you identify and avoid mistakes in the early stages of your case and maximize your settlement potential.
Social Media and Your Case: The Potential Pitfalls
With social media becoming rapidly more normal in the age of technology, the pitfalls of networking platforms continue to prevail day by day. Although this may go without saying, the content that you share on social media can be used against you. It is important to avoid discussing the details of your case, your injuries, or the incident in general on public platforms. It is even advisable to limit your posting in general during the pendency of your case. An innocent post can be taken out of context and used by attorneys to make you look bad.
The Impact of Timely Medical Attention on Your Claim
Aside from the digital world, most mistakes are made in the process of medical treatment. One of the most common mistakes made by plaintiffs is not seeking medical attention immediately. Believe it or not, the longer you delay medical treatment, the further it undermines your case. Expeditious medical treatment not only prioritizes your health and well-being, but having documentation of your injuries is crucial evidence to the success of your case. Also, if you do not follow the medical treatment prescribed by your healthcare provider, it can indicate to the opposing party that your injuries are not as severe as your claim suggests. This is exactly how exaggerating your injuries can come back to bite you. False claims can be easily shot down and can undermine the legitimacy of your case. Always be honest about the extent of your injuries and listen to your treating doctors so that your legitimate injuries are property documented.
Crucial Documentation: Gathering Evidence for Compensation
In personal injury cases, medical records and billing receipts are some of the most vital pieces of evidence. If you neglect the responsibility of documenting your expenses, it can directly impact your monetary compensation. This includes the preservation of all medical bills, property damage, out of pocket expenses, and all other injury related expenses. Failing to collect the proper evidence can be detrimental. Not only is it essential to gather medical documentation for the foreseeable future after the accident, evidence from the scene of the accident is just as relevant. This can include photographs, witness statements, accident reports, and any other relevant documentation which is crucial to the establishment of liability.
The Importance of Reporting Incidents: Strengthening Proof
Failing to report the accident to the applicable authorities can hurt your case severely. Whether this is reporting a workplace incident to your employer, a slip and fall incident to the store management, or a motor vehicle accident to the police and your insurance company, timely reporting strengthens the foundation of proof for establishing the legitimacy of the incident.
Legal Representation: The Critical Role of an Attorney
Going through the legal process without the help of an experienced personal injury attorney is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. While it’s possible to handle a personal injury case on your own, you will likely maximize your results if you retain legal representation. Those who proceed without representation oftentimes make crucial mistakes due to lack of guidance. For example, insurance companies will request that you make a recorded statement and ultimately use it against you. Consulting with an attorney before speaking to the insurance company will ensure that your rights are being thoroughly protected and that you are not tripped up by the insurance company. Many people also tend to sign documents before having a complete and thorough understanding of the terms and their implications. An attorney will help you review and fully comprehend the document before endorsing anything binding.
Securing Your Compensation: Contact Harrell Injury Law for Expert Personal Injury Representation
Don’t wait! Personal injury cases have a time limit known as the statute of limitations. In the state of New Jersey, the statute of limitations to file your personal injury claim is two years from the date of the accident. If you fail to meet that timeframe, you run the risk of losing your potential compensation. Contact Harrell Injury Law today to ensure you get the maximum compensation for your injuries. Kenneth M. Harrell, esq. has been practicing personal injury law for over 20 years and has earned the title of Certified Civil Trial Attorney in the state of New Jersey, which is only awarded to 2% of practicing lawyers. He promises to handle your case with the utmost professionalism and drive. Call today to schedule a free consultation or fill out the form on our website to get on the road to recovery.
Leigh A. Raffauf
Partner, Harrell Injury Law
