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Most people don’t have the resources to pay for the costs of recovering from an accident. This is one reason why the law allows you to hire a personal injury attorney and sue the responsible party for damages. While your lawyer can help you file a successful claim, there are some actions that accident victims take that can adversely affect their chances. The guide below explores a few of them.

How You Can Harm Your Personal Injury Case

1. Oversharing on Social Media

The opposing attorney will look for evidence to dismiss or minimize the effect you claim your injury has had on your life. This includes checking Facebook® or Twitter® posts that you thought were private. Whether or not the smiling pictures of time spent out with friends truly conveys your inner struggles, these images may not be good for the case. Furthermore, venting your frustrations about the other party can make it look like you’re out to settle a personal grudge.

2. Failing to Collect Evidence

Your lawyer won’t be with you at the scene of the accident, so it’s up to you to collect evidence. Photos, police reports, and copies of medical bills should all be requested in the moment to help support your side of the story. 

3. Neglecting Treatment 

Personal Injury AttorneyUnder personal injury law, the accident victim is obligated to try and keep their injuries from worsening. This includes continuing treatment for as long as their doctor deems it’s necessary, as well as getting a medical evaluation soon after the accident. If you discontinue treatment, this may lead the insurance company, or a civil court judge, to determine that your injuries are not as severe as you claim. In that case, you may not be awarded the damages your personal injury attorney is seeking on your behalf.

4. Sharing Too Much With the Opposition

Shortly after the accident, the other party’s insurance company will send out an adjuster to investigate the accident and try to prove that your injuries weren’t severe. They do this by getting you to admit fault or to speculate about why their client might not be responsible. These statements can affect your attorney’s ability to obtain damages for you. When you do answer questions, think about your responses and keep your answers short or refer them to your counsel.

 

Insurance adjusters are experienced negotiators and are unlikely to compromise with the average person. Therefore, if you find yourself in need of a personal injury attorney in Sugar Land, TX, turn to Reed & Terry. With more than five decades of experience in negotiating with insurance companies, they can help pursue your claim in court. To learn more about their practice areas, visit their website. Schedule an initial consultation by calling (281) 491-5000.

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