When you’re involved in an auto accident, recovering from the damages the incident caused to your life becomes your primary concern. This often involves consulting and hiring an Auto accident attorney Houston, but obtaining legal representation doesn’t relieve you from your obligations. If you want to reach a favorable outcome, there are certain things you should do to help your case.
Do Get a Medical Evaluation
Putting off a medical evaluation can harm you in more ways than one. First, it can cause any internal injuries to worsen and this may result in long-term or permanent disabilities. Where traumatic head injuries, back injuries, and neck injuries are concerned, it may take time for symptoms to become apparent. Delaying treatment may mean developing conditions that cannot be reversed.
Additionally, delaying a medical evaluation is a tactic some people use to raise the amount they can claim in their personal injury case. This is why laws exist prohibiting this type of strategy. If a judge suspects you of attempting to do this, he may determine that you’re partially responsible for your own damages. This is called contributory negligence and it can result in reducing the amount you can claim by a percentage specified by the court. Alternatively, the judge may dismiss your claim altogether, which means you won’t be able to seek any damages.
Don’t Share Your Story
It’s human nature to talk about the events that affect our lives, especially those events that have the power to monumentally change the future. However, it’s better for you to resist this urge, since the insurance company will be looking for information to use against you. You never know what your friends and co-workers may reveal, either by accident or as a way of intentionally sabotaging your case. Betrayal often comes from those closest to us, so it’s best to refrain from discussing your case at all.
Similarly, any personal injury attorney, such as the professionals at the Simon & O’Rourke Law Firm, P.C. , will likely advise you to stay off social media. The investigators working for the insurance company will find ways to view your social media posts, regardless of your privacy settings. They will be looking for ways to prove that your injuries aren’t as devastating as your claim suggests. They may try to use location check-ins, photos, and your public comments as evidence to discredit you.
These are just a couple of ways that your actions can affect your auto accident claim. Above all, listen to your attorney and follow his recommendations as strictly as possible. Your lawyer has the experience to know how your actions and your words can affect the outcome of your case. Once your case is over, you can return to your life, but, in the meantime, restricting your interactions with others may help you achieve your desired outcome.