Those who have sustained injuries in any kind of accident would usually file a personal injury claim to recover damages from the at-fault party. Such kinds of claims require filing several documents and knowing the necessary records to support a claim. That is why you need to hire a Salem Oregon personal injury lawyer. If you are one of these victims, you need to be aware of the things you should not do to avoid ruining your injury claim. These things include the following:
Not Seeing a Doctor
After you suffer a personal injury, you must visit a doctor right away. If you have a serious injury, somebody else may have reported the accident and called for medical help. However, if you were into a minor accident, your injuries may not be obvious from the outside. But, keep in mind that the adrenaline rush after the accident may mask the pain and other symptoms of a hidden injury. Also, some internal injuries may not show up immediately.
So, even if you feel fine after the accident, you should still see a doctor and get a medical evaluation. This makes sure there’s a record of your injury in the first place and guarantees your safety.
Talking Too Much About the Accident
After your accident, you may feel shocked, agitated, or upset that you want people to know about your situation. But, what you say in these times may hurt you later. When you file a claim, the insurance company may use anything you say against you. So, while you are still at the accident scene, limit talks to just the basics or let your attorney do the talking for you. Also, do not discuss details of your claim with your friends, family, or colleagues. Posting about your accident on social media is a big no-no since the other party may dig up details from these sources to try to discredit you.
Not Hiring a Lawyer
If you decide to pursue a personal injury case, you put yourself in a tough battle you cannot win by yourself. You may not have access to important resources that can support your claim. But, an attorney can do the processing on your behalf, so you can concentrate on recovering from your pain and injuries.
A great lawyer will work with forensic, financial, and medical experts to calculate the damages you should seek for your lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering. They will look for credible professionals to give testimony during a trial in court to increase your chances of getting maximum compensation.