If you suffered an injury due to another person’s careless or reckless behavior, exploring a personal injury claim is an essential next step. Whether you’ve been injured in a car crash, fallen on someone else’s property, been harmed by a faulty product, or something similar, you shouldn’t have to navigate the aftermath alone. The goal of filing a personal injury claim is simple: to recover the money you need to cover your medical expenses, replace lost wages, and compensate you for the pain and disruption this incident has caused in your life.
When you’ve suffered an injury, it’s stressful enough to deal with the physical pain, emotional toll, medical bills, and uncertainty. But mistakes in how you handle your personal injury claim can cost you — sometimes more than you might expect. Compassionate personal injury attorneys at Bowman Law are prepared to help you navigate the aftermath of an accident so you don’t miss a critical step. Below are mistakes people often make, as well as strategies you can use to avoid them and give your case the best chance of success.
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In theory, insurance companies are supposed to help you navigate challenges, but they can often cause unnecessary headaches and complications in a personal injury case. One of the first calls you might get after an accident is from an insurance adjuster. They may seem helpful — asking questions, wanting to know details about the accident, your injuries, what you were doing, and more. But speaking freely before you have legal counsel can backfire.
Insurance adjusters often look for statements you make that they can twist or use out of context to shrink your claim. For example, apologizing or admitting any fault, even casually, can be interpreted as responsibility.
Additionally, recorded statements or signed releases may be used against you later. This highlights the importance of working with a personal injury lawyer early in the process. Without someone who understands personal injury law advising you, you risk jeopardizing your ability to recover full compensation.
If you’re wondering how to avoid this mistake, here are a few tips that can help:
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Suffering an accident is a personal experience, but even private activities like seeking medical advice can be used against you if you aren’t careful. After an injury, you might feel okay or feel some improvement. It’s important not to skip follow-ups or ignore a doctor’s recommendations, though, as it can be dangerous medically and legally.
Medically, missing follow-up appointments or neglecting specialized diagnostics can lead to complications or leave latent problems unaddressed. Plus, a judge, jury, or insurance company may see failure to follow medical advice as evidence that your injury wasn’t serious — or even that you’re not doing your part. That can reduce the value of your claim or be used as a defense.
Physical injuries are easier to prove and use as evidence for a case, but you might have emotional or psychological injuries after an accident, too. It’s important to adhere to medical advice for emotional damages, such as PTSD, as much as you would for physical injuries. Your personal injury lawyer can help you collect the right documentation and records for this.
If you’re looking for ways to stay on track with your medical care, try the following:
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After suffering an accident, it may feel natural to share updates with friends or family, but anything you post becomes fair game in your injury case, so post with caution. Social media content — including status updates, photos, check-ins — that seem to contradict your claimed injuries or pain can be used by defense lawyers or insurance companies to cast doubt on your claim. For example, even casual posts meant to reassure (like claiming you’re “doing okay!”) or express positivity can be twisted to suggest your injuries are minor.
While social media can serve as a sense of community, it’s best to avoid creating social media content regarding your accident. Avoid details about how you feel, how much pain you’re in, or how the injury affects your life. Ask friends and family to avoid posting pictures of you in ways that might undermine your claim. If you must post about the accident or your injuries, consider running it by your attorney first.
Read More: Understand How Social Media Can Harm Your Personal Injury Case
After suffering an accident, the last thing you probably want to do is follow instructions from someone you don’t know. However, police and other authorities that support these incidents can be crucial to supporting your personal injury case, as police reports, evidence collected at the scene, and official statements all play a significant role.
A law enforcement report often provides an early, thorough account of what happened: who was where, what the conditions were like, and what vehicles or persons were involved. That can carry weight in trial or settlement negotiations.
If law enforcement or investigators advise you on what to do after an accident (like get medical imaging, document the scene, collect witness statements), it’s best not to ignore them, as that can leave gaps in your case. Plus, insurance companies and defense counsel often look for inconsistencies or missing pieces.
Given this, below are some important steps to take after an accident because of someone else’s negligence:
If you’ve experienced an accident, dealing with the aftermath can be complicated and exhausting. It might seem like you can handle things yourself or wait until later, but it’s important not to delay filing a personal injury claim and contacting experienced attorneys at Bowman Law.
Below are a few legal considerations to keep in mind when you’re exploring a personal injury claim:
When it comes to preserving your rights and earning you the compensation you’re owed, there’s no better choice than finding a personal injury lawyer you can trust.
There’s a lot to remember during legal proceedings and filing claims, but keep these simple truths in mind: If you’re filing or thinking about filing a personal injury claim, avoid missteps like over-sharing, ignoring medical or law enforcement advice, or delaying legal help. The goal of Bowman Law personal injury attorneys is to guide you through what to expect during your personal injury claim and trial process so you can make decisions that protect your rights and your recovery.
Time is of the essence when you’ve been hurt due to someone else’s actions. Don’t wait to get the support you deserve and seek justice.
Owner and Managing Attorney
Jerry Bowman, J.D., M.A., Owner and managing attorney of Bowman Law LLC, takes his responsibility to the legal profession seriously and dedicates his time and effort to providing quality and competent legal representation to clients in Denver and throughout all of Colorado. He holds an MA in Political Science from Wayne State University and earned his law degree in two and a half years from Michigan State University College of Law.
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