When you’re injured in an accident through the fault of another, you may have to file a personal injury claim with that person’s insurance company. If the insurance company won’t negotiate with your attorney, this may lead to a civil court case. In either situation, there are things you should do to help your lawyer win your case. If you fail to do these things or act inappropriately, you may end up sabotaging your own case and that can cause you to receive a lower settlement offer. In a worst case scenario, your actions can cause you to lose your case altogether.
Your actions matter even before you hire a personal injury attorney Altamonte Springs. One way this is true is in your willingness to pursue a medical evaluation after you have been involved in the accident. The law in every state demands that an accident victim must do everything possible to minimize their injuries. Failure to seek a medical evaluation defies that mandate and may cause a judge to evaluate your contributory negligence. This means you’ll be found to have contributed to your injuries and will have to share in the burden of paying your medical care costs.
Additionally, it’s important to keep your thoughts to yourself. Discussing your case with others can have a negative effect on the outcome of your claim, because you don’t really know who you can trust. Down the road, you may find that a friend or co-worker repeated everything you said to the insurance company or to their lawyers. It’s best to only discuss your case with your attorney.
Your lawyer may also recommend staying off social media until your case is settled. Any photos you post or comments you make online may be used to suggest that your injuries aren’t as severe as you claim. By staying away from social media sites altogether, you’ll provide the other side with less ammunition to use against you.
When you hire a personal injury lawyer, it’s in your best interests to follow his instructions explicitly. While he may seem strict or overbearing, he’s only acting in your best interests. His objective is to earn you the best possible settlement and following his recommendations will help him achieve that goal.