6 Major Mistakes Personal Injury Victims Need to Avoid Making After a Car Accident

Being involved in a major car accident and suffering an injury can be a very trying time for you and your family. You and your loved ones are likely to undergo a lot of stress, worries, and mixed emotions.

It’s important to remember, however, that you need to remain on top of the situation should you choose to file an insurance claim. It is essential that you approach the situation with a clear mind, so that you avoid making mistakes that can negatively affect you, your finances, and any claims that you may make – especially if you decide to file a lawsuit.

Your Houston car accident attorneys at Lapeze & Johns are dedicated to providing clients and victims of car wrecks with the information they need to file a successful claim. We’ll be with you every step of the way to ensure that you do not make the following major mistakes that can be detrimental to your case.

Even if you are a victim of a car accident, it is important that you take responsibility and follow the guidelines set by your doctor and other medical professionals. Please consider the following information so that you can obtain the justice and compensation you deserve to get your life back on track.

While the following mistakes may seem insignificant to you, in a court of law, they can prove to be the factors that make or break your case. It is absolutely vital that you avoid the following errors:

If you are injured in a car accident, do not ignore any signs of pain or discomfort, regardless of how “small” or insignificant it may appear at the time. A small ache or strain can be indicative of something much more serious that requires medical attention. Do not hesitate to ask for an ambulance to transport you to a hospital should you feel the need for it.

Alongside protecting your health, seeking medical attention immediately after an accident helps to support any insurance claim you may make. Your insurer – and any potential jury – will not rule in your favor if it appears that you were not hurt badly enough to seek immediate medical attention.

You need to be completely upfront with your doctor when discussing your injuries. Do NOT fail to mention any previous injuries or illnesses that you have suffered from prior to the car accident. Let your doctor and any medical professionals you are seeing know exactly what you are feeling.

On the other hand, failing to provide accurate information – and even keeping things to yourself – can negatively impact the quality of care you receive as well as hurt your legal case. If you fail to provide your doctor with complete and honest information, your claim can be rejected based on the insufficient information you provided.

Do not let a flawed medical diagnosis destroy your claim or case.

The medication you are prescribed with and the medical instructions provided to you need to be followed until your doctor tells you otherwise. If you do not feel comfortable taking a particular medication because of unwanted side effects or because of how it might interact with other medication you are taking, ask your prescribing doctor to see if you can switch to another medication.

Make sure to follow the doctor’s orders, as failing to do so can have a devastating effect on your health and your claim.

Failing to attend follow ups, whether on purpose or because of legitimate reasons, will make it appear as if you are not committed to getting better. Frequently skipping appointments can also lead to an irritated doctor, and a frustrated physician does not make for a good witness. If you must cancel, be respectful, call in advance, and reschedule.

You need to continue your medical treatment until you are healed or until your physician claims that there is nothing else that can be done. If you have stopped receiving medical support, then the insurance company can perceive this as you being healed.

Make sure to stay in contact with your doctor to prove that you have consistently sought assistance. If there is a significant gap between treatments, your insurer may argue that you are seeking medical care for a new and unrelated injury.

You need to maintain proper documentation of all doctor orders, treatment referrals, and/or work restrictions. Keeping the files provided to you by healthcare providers and insurance companies will help your attorney present an exceptional case to the insurance company. If your lawyer knows every medical care provider that you have seen, then they will be able to maximize compensation for your injuries and pain. Save those files and keep them stored in an appropriate place.

The personal injury attorneys of Lapeze & Johns are dedicated to seeking and winning compensation for individuals involved in drunk driving car accidents caused by other negligent parties. Don’t let your pain and suffering go ignored.
Contact us today at (713) 739-1010 for a free case review.

6 Major Mistakes Personal Injury Victims Need to Avoid Making After a Car Accident

Lapeze & Johns