Avoiding Common Mistakes That Can Harm Your Personal Injury Case
It can be challenging to make all the right decisions after a personal injury accident. The stress and trauma caused by a car collision or other accident are not conducive to decision-making, and yet injured victims are expected to make seemingly endless and potentially life-altering decisions.
Being aware of some of the more common mistakes that people often make in these situations can help you avoid them.
Failing to Contact the Police
Notifying the police or sheriff’s office about a car accident is only required in Georgia if someone was injured or killed or if property damage equals or exceeds $500. Even if none of these requirements is met, it is still a good idea to contact the police after an accident. Police reports are valuable pieces of evidence in your accident claim.
Not Seeking Medical Attention
Ignoring your symptoms because they are minor or because you are concerned about the cost of treatment could not only negatively affect your health but it could also jeopardize your accident claim. Many injuries are not symptomatic immediately following an accident, and others progressively get worse as time passes. If you wait days or weeks to visit the doctor for your injuries, the at-fault party may try to use that against you.
Ignoring Your Doctor’s Orders
Seeking medical attention is only the first step in your healthcare journey after a personal injury accident. It’s also crucial to your accident claim that you follow your doctor’s orders. If you are skipping appointments, not taking your medication, or participating in activities that your doctor has warned could make your condition worse, you may give the impression that your injuries are not severe or that your health has improved.
Posting on Social Media Accounts
Everything you post online could be used against you by the other party in your personal injury case. Recovery and healing are not linear, and it is understandable that you would want to take advantage of the good days when they come. However, if you post pictures of yourself doing activities that your injuries should preclude, it may appear as though you have recovered. Even if your profiles are set to private, it’s best to avoid posting until your case is over.
Missing the Deadline for Filing a Claim
Personal injury claims have a two-year statute of limitations in Georgia. This means that injured parties only have two years from the date of their accident to file a claim. There are exceptions to this rule, but it does apply to most injury cases. Two years is not as long as it may seem. The time can pass quickly when you are focused on medical treatments, property repair, and the trauma caused by the accident. It’s important that you do not let the statute of limitations lapse because you could lose your chance to seek compensation if the deadline expires.
Representing Yourself in Your Personal Injury Case
Most people who do not work in the legal field are not familiar with federal regulations, state laws, and local court procedures. Trying to represent yourself in the complex Georgia legal system is not recommended. Your focus should be on your physical and psychological recovery, which is why hiring a personal injury attorney is often the best option.
While we cannot guarantee a specific outcome, your chances of receiving a higher settlement offer or court award are better with an attorney. Contact The CP Law Group to discuss your case and learn more about how we can help you. Call us at 844-546-4878 (that’s 844-5-IM-HURT) or reach out on social media to @TheCPLawGroup to schedule a free consultation.