Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Personal Injury Case
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 2 million people are injured each year from motor vehicle crashes. Many of these injured individuals later obtain help from experienced personal injury attorneys and file claims against negligent parties that can help offset unexpected expenses such as medical bills, expensive prescriptions and lost wages. Filing a claim against the person who is responsible for causing your injuries can be an effective way to obtain the compensation you need and deserve. However, it is much easier than you probably think to completely ruin a perfectly good personal injury case.
These are just a few of the common mistakes that can irreparably damage your claim.
Handing your medical treatment incorrectly.
Sometimes car accident victims stop attending doctor appointments before being directed because they feel “better” or even delay medical treatment altogether because they feel their injuries are minor. Both of these actions are mistakes because they can be used by an adverse party to support an argument that you must not have been injured. You should always seek medical treatment after an accident and you should never stop medical treatment until your medical provider advises you to.
Similarly, it is imperative that you are honest about the extent of your injuries. Never fake or exaggerate what you are experiencing. The other side only needs to find one person you know or one picture on your social media that demonstrates you have not been truthful in order to potentially discredit your entire account of the way that the accident occurred.
Not being forthcoming with your legal team.
Telling a lie or omitting information is simply not a good idea in relation to your personal injury claim. Even if you feel that the truth makes you look bad or may devalue your case, it is better to disclose this information up front to your attorney. The information you are concerned about may not even be damaging to your case. Additionally, even if it is, it is much better for your attorney to be aware of this information in advance and prepare for how to handle it than later be blindsided. Among other information you feel might be relevant, make sure you disclose any other accidents, medical conditions and medical treatment you had either before or after the accident you are pursuing a claim for.
Failing to obtain legal help in a timely manner.
Every so often, we are contacted by someone who has experienced a tragic and compelling set of circumstances that would normally constitute an ideal basis for filing a personal injury claim that would probably have a substantial outcome. Despite the ideal circumstances, we find ourselves unable to help for one simple but all-important reason – the person has waited too late to pursue a claim. There are strict time limits for filing a claim here in the Sunshine State and according to Florida’s statutes of limitations, you have four years to pursue a personal injury claim, and only two years in the context of wrongful death and medical malpractice claims. Importantly, in almost every circumstance, failure to file a claim in time will eliminate a victim’s right to recovery.
Don’t Make a Mistake in Choosing Your Legal Team.
Filing a claim is full of complications and there is a lot of room for you to make a mistake that limits or even prevents you from being able to recover the compensation you deserve. A successful claim often requires the skill of an experienced attorney. As the South Florida car accident attorneys at Leifer & Ramirez, you can depend on us and our years of experience helping others in similar situations for the help you need. If you have been injured due to the actions of another party and have questions about your rights, contact us today.
Resource:
cdc.gov/vitalsigns/motor-vehicle-safety/index.html
