Here are 11 tips from our attorneys on what you can do to help win your personal injury case:
- Obtain medical care right away for all of your injuries. And if you have medical insurance get treatment with your network doctors, whenever possible at every visit, tell your doctor about all of your injuries and all of your limitations.
- Don’t wait too long to contact a lawyer. Your case could be barred by the statute of limitations, which is basically a legal deadline, if you wait too long to sue.
- Don’t say that you aren’t hurt to the police or other drivers because many injuries will not be obvious right away or symptoms may appear later. If asked, you can always say that you don’t know, but you will obtain medical attention. Your words could be used against you later in your case.
- Make sure you attend all of your doctor and therapy appointments and always follow your doctor’s instructions to the letter.
- Try to write down what you recall about the accident as soon as you can. Memories can fade quickly. Try to recall as many details as you can and write it down. Giving your attorney as much information as possible always helps.
- Keep all of your receipts or documents related to your medical visits and loss of money or wages caused by the accident, such as days taken off work, gas receipts, childcare costs, etc.
- Keep your lawyer informed about changes in your medical care or work status and forward medical bills, accident reports, and any correspondence you receive about your case to your attorney right away.
- Always be honest with your attorney about any preexisting problems, injuries or prior lawsuits. Your attorney can help you better if he or she knows everything that could affect your case.
- Try to take photographs of the accident scene, your injuries and damage to your property. Save items that may be evidence in your case, such as shoes in a slip and fall case or a defective product.
- Make your Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or other social media profile private and DO NOT post any information about your case. If you’re claiming to be injured but you’re dancing the night away in an Instagram post, that could hurt your case, especially if the video is played in a court room!
- Finally, let your attorney know right away if you change your address or your phone number. It’s critical that they’re always able to contact you.