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If you have been hurt in an accident caused by another party, you may be entitled to compensation. Getting injured can result in high medical bills and cause you to be out of work for a while. If you want to get the most compensation possible, it is important to be proactive in your case.
Here are a few different ways to strengthen your personal injury claim.
Be Careful What You Say at the Accident Scene
After an accident, it might feel natural to make statements like, “I’m sorry” or “I apologize.” However, making these statements can be like admitting fault, which can hurt your injury claim. That is why you must be especially cautious about what you say at an accident scene. Even if you feel like you are partially to blame for the accident, you should stay quiet.
Take Photos of the Accident Scene
Photos are one of the most important pieces of evidence you can have for a personal injury case. If possible, take some photos of the accident scene. For example, if you were in a car accident, you may want to take photos of all the vehicles involved in the accident, traffic signs and skid marks on the road.
Seek Emergency Medical Care
No matter what type of accident you have been in, you should go to the emergency room as soon as possible. Even if you feel okay initially after the accident, you may still be injured. A doctor should assess your injuries and recommend the appropriate treatment. If you delay medical care, the defendant’s insurance company could also argue that you are not as hurt as you claim to be.
Reduce Your Time on Social Media
When you are in the middle of a personal injury case, you have to be extra careful about what you post on social media. For example, if you are claiming that you sustained whiplash in a car accident but post a photo of yourself at an amusement park, it could hurt your credibility. Therefore, you should minimize your time on social media as much as possible.
Do not Trust the Insurance Company
Following an accident, the at-fault party’s insurance company may contact you and try to offer you a settlement. Why this might be tempting, you should not accept the insurance company’s first offer. It will likely be too low to cover all of your losses. Tell them that you would prefer to talk to your lawyer first.
Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
Navigating through a personal injury claim on your own can be tricky. That is why it pays to have an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side. A lawyer can help you gather evidence, identify all liable parties and negotiate with the insurance company. You have a better chance of obtaining a fair settlement.
Schedule a meeting with a law firm, like Brown Kiely, LLP, to discuss your case in detail.