Mistakes That Can Jeopardize a Personal Injury Case

If you are harmed as a result of another person’s or company’s wrongdoing, it is vital that you understand your rights and how to protect them. Personal injury cases in Virginia are extremely complex and can involve many different parties. 

There are many factors that can affect the outcome of a personal injury case and make it more difficult to win. Thankfully, we have outlined some vital mistakes that might jeopardize your case for you to take note of. 

1. Talking About Your Injury on Social Media

Talking about your injuries online is a big no-no. It’s tempting to share your thoughts with the world, but they can come back to bite you if you’re not careful.

If you’re thinking about posting a status update or tweeting about your accident, don’t do it without consulting with an experienced personal injury law firm in Virginia first. In court, your post may be used against you, and it can even cost you money down the line if one party believes that your post was defamatory or slanderous.

2. Failing to Gather Evidence

If you’re injured in a car accident or slip and fall incident, ensure to gather as much evidence as possible. Both physical and photographic — while at the scene of the accident. Make sure that any witnesses are willing to speak up on your behalf if they see anything suspicious, like someone leaving the scene before law enforcement arrives.

In addition to witnessing, you can also:

• Take pictures of the scene and the injuries
• Request medical records from the time of injury through treatment
• Obtain records from any doctors, therapists, or other medical professionals who treated you for your injuries
• Collect the police report, if one was filed at the time of the accident
• Keep any medical bills or receipts related to your injury and its treatment

3. Failing to Follow Your Doctor’s Instructions

When you’re recovering from an accident or injury, you’ll likely meet your doctor regularly for checkups. It is important because doctors can help you avoid making mistakes that could jeopardize your case.

For instance, if you received treatment for an infection at the hospital, you must follow up with them after your discharge. If you don’t do this, the defense will argue that there was no infection in the first place and, therefore, no basis for compensation.

4. Accepting a Quick Settlement Offer

As soon as you file your lawsuit, an insurance company may offer you money upfront in order to settle the case without going to court. While quick settlements may seem appealing because they allow you to avoid the hassle of going through long legal proceedings, they can actually be detrimental to your case in many ways.

For instance, if you accept a quick settlement offer and later change your mind about settling out of court, then it will be difficult for you to get more money from the defendant. It is because, once a lawsuit has been filed with the court system, any agreement between parties must be approved by a judge before enforcement.

Therefore, accepting a quick settlement offer could mean limiting what ultimately becomes available for compensation down the road. Sometimes insurance companies will try to lowball victims by offering them less than they deserve.

Thus, they’ll accept their offer without questioning it further or consulting with their attorneys first. Consequently, it is crucial to know the value of your case in advance.

5. Not Seeking Medical Attention

If you’re injured in an accident, it’s important to get medical treatment immediately. If you refuse to seek treatment, the other driver’s insurance company may try to use this against you when defending its client’s liability in court. They’ll argue that if serious injuries resulted from the accident, why didn’t you seek treatment?

6. Not Hiring an Attorney Right Away

Many people wait too long before hiring an attorney. This can lead to problems with evidence and witness statements. If possible, hire a personal injury lawyer in Virginia as quickly as possible, so he or she can gather evidence as soon as possible.

In addition, the attorney will not only help you figure out what type of compensation is available for your injuries. But also guide you through all of the legal requirements for filing a claim in Virginia.

Contact a Qualified Personal Injury Law Firm in Virginia Beach Today

A personal injury law firm can aid you in recovering damages for your injuries and losses. The lawyer will file a lawsuit on your behalf, negotiate with the insurance companies, and represent you in court.

Breit Law Firm is a leading personal injury law firm in Virginia that is ready to help you with your case. We have over 20 years of experience helping people get the compensation they need after an accident or injury. If you or someone you know has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.