5 Things That Can Negatively Affect Your Personal Injury Claim

After an accident, getting help from an experienced personal injury lawyer can be crucial to maximizing your financial compensation. Your attorney can help protect your rights and demand full and fair compensation for your injuries. However, effective communication with your lawyer can be critical to helping your lawyer put together the best case. 

Keep reading below to learn five things that can negatively affect your personal injury claim.

1. Admitting That the Accident Was Your Fault

You should never apologize or admit that the accident was your fault. Such statements can and will be used against you during the claims process to minimize your claim or avoid putting liability on the defendant altogether.

Instead, be open and honest in your communication with your lawyer and communicate the facts of the accident objectively. Let the evidence speak for itself, and allow your lawyer to help determine who was at fault for the accident by using their experience and resources.

2. Downplaying Your Injuries

The severity of your injuries plays a key role in determining the value of your personal injury case. Still, many individuals hesitate to express how much they’re hurting fully—whether out of modesty, fear of seeming dramatic, or hope that the pain will subside on its own. Saying things like, “It’s not too bad,” can unintentionally diminish the strength of your claim.

Instead, seek prompt medical attention and be candid about your symptoms. Your medical records will serve as crucial evidence. Keep in mind that certain injuries—especially soft tissue or internal ones—might not show up immediately. 

If you begin experiencing pain in the hours or days after the accident, don’t ignore it. Follow up with a healthcare provider and notify your attorney immediately.

3. Failing to Follow Medical Advice

After seeking treatment for your injuries, the doctor will likely give you a treatment plan. Following your doctor’s advice is crucial to building your personal injury case. Failing to follow the treatment plan or missing follow-up appointments could be used as evidence that your injuries were not that serious. Keep your lawyer informed of your progress and any changes to your diagnosis or treatment plan.

4. Oversharing on Social Media

One of the biggest mistakes that accident victims make is sharing too many details on social media. In fact, you should stay off social media until your personal injury case is resolved. Photos and other information shared on social media can be used as evidence in your case.

Imagine this scenario. Suppose you get hurt in a car accident, and you file a claim for your back injuries. However, you share photos on social media from your vacation where you are participating in ziplining and other strenuous physical activities. This could really hurt your case, and it could be used as evidence to show that your injuries are not as severe as you claimed.

5. Settling Your Case Without Talking to a Lawyer

Many accident victims want a quick settlement so that they can receive compensation in their pocket more quickly. However, settling your claim without seeking legal counsel might not be the best idea. Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and lawyers on their side who are constantly seeking ways to minimize their liability.

Contact Davis Law Group Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation With a Seattle Personal Injury Lawyer

If you need help with a personal injury claim, the experienced team at Davis Law Group Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help. Schedule your free consultation today with one of our Seattle personal injury lawyers.

If you’ve been injured in Seattle, WA, and need legal assistance, contact Davis Law Group Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers. Contact our legal team and schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer today. We proudly serve King County in Washington and its surrounding areas. Visit our law office at:

Davis Law Group Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers
2101 4th Ave 1030 Seattle, WA 98121
(206) 727 4000
Hours: Open 24/7