3 Things NOT to Do During a Personal Injury Claim
April 29, 2020
There’s a lot of advice out there about how to be successful when you’re seeking out a personal injury lawsuit. When you’re going through litigation, there are a few important things you want to avoid doing, too. Learn about the most common mistakes individuals make while going through a personal injury lawsuit and how to avoid them below.
Related blog: Four Elements of a Personal Injury Claim
1. Admit Fault
After a crash, your instinct may be to say, “I’m sorry.” You may even attempt to downplay the seriousness of the crash. While it may feel right at the time, you should NEVER do that. Admitting fault or making statements like, “it’s not that bad,” can be used as evidence against you later if you try to seek out a claim.
It’s difficult to do, but you need to be impartial at the accident scene. Tell the police officers and your insurance company the facts. Never make any claims such as, “I don’t feel hurt,” or “I am fine.” If you say these things over the phone or it gets documented in a police report, then they could get used against you in court.
2. Post About it on Social Media
Everything you say can and will be held against you in a court of law, but what about everything you post about on social media? If you’re involved in any type of lawsuit, then a lawyer will tell you to avoid social media altogether. That’s because anything you post publicly can be used as evidence in court. Here are a few things you might post that could derail a future claim:
- Pictures of you working out (this could make people assume you aren’t injured)
- Getting tagged in a family outing or vacation (it shows you’re not suffering)
- Anything that indicates expensive recent purchases
- Posts about the accident
Don’t make this mistake! Instead, set all your social media accounts to private if you’re going through a lawsuit. Comb through your friend’s list and remove anyone that you don’t know personally, and don’t accept any new friend requests until your case is concluded.
3. Try to Handle Your Situation Without a Lawyer
Finally, don’t try to handle a serious lawsuit by yourself. If you try to go at it alone, then insurance companies or the other driver’s lawyer will consistently try to low-ball offers to you. You may be tempted to collect less than what you deserve. Don’t get bullied into accepting an unjust settlement. Instead, hire an attorney to help you.
Related blog: What Are Some Situations You Didn’t Know a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help With?
Contact a Pittsburgh Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Injury Case in Pennsylvania
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries in Pennsylvania? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Goodrich & Geist, P.C. represent clients injured in Pittsburgh and Western PA counties. Call 412-837-8426 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 3634 California Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
