Tips from a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have been injured due to the negligence of another, you may be scared and confused about what you should do next. You may have medical bills stacking up and someone from the insurance company calling you and encouraging you to settle quickly. Though you may need the money, it may not be in your best interest to settle quickly. Therefore, here are some tips from Personal Injury attorneys on what to do before you settle.

• Seek medical attention. If you body hurts, go to the doctor. Even though medical care is not cheap, getting treatment up front may save you expenses in the long run. Insurance companies take existing medical care and costs into consideration when determining the amount of pain and suffering you are experiencing – they just will not take your word for it. Therefore, if you tell the insurance company that you experience a lot of pain, but are not seeking medical attention for your pain, the insurance company can assume that your pain is minimal and value it incorrectly. Moreover, even if you think the pain will go away in a few weeks or months, if it does not go away and testing subsequently shows you have a more serious issue than you previously thought, you cannot go back to the insurance company requesting additional money to cover medical expenses.
• Watch what you post. People often post about their day on social media, however, when it comes to accidents and injuries, it is best to keep your posts to a minimum. For example, if you tell the insurance company that you have experienced significant back pain but post pictures of you and your friends canoeing, then the claims adjuster may look up your profile and use that picture against you.
• Speak with a professional. The claims adjuster at the insurance company is not on your side. Their goal is to settle the claim for as little as possible to save the insurance company money and expense. You deserve help in handling your claim and getting a fair settlement. If you have been injured due to the negligence of another, contact us for a free consultation.