5 Mistakes to Avoid If You Want to Win Your Personal Injury Case

A serious injury can leave you feeling uncertain about the future. Knowing whether you'll work again or live a life that's free of pain affects you and your family. However, an attentive lawyer Hayward CA residents can turn to in such times will take care of the legal aspects of a personal or work-related injury case so that their client can focus on recovery. Read on to avoid common mistakes that can hurt your case.

Make Sure to File a Police or Incident Report

Which one you file depends on whether your injury is the result of a traffic accident or an injury on the job. Your lawyer will need all documentation about the circumstances surr8ounding the incident, including any witness statements and photos. This not only helps them prepare your case, but provides proof of responsibility for courts and insurance claims.

Get Medical Attention Right Away

Even if you don;t think your injury is serious enough to require emergency treatment, there may be injuries that you're not immediately aware of, like head or back injuries. The faster you seek medical treatment, the better your chances of gettingprompt diagnosis and making a fuller recovery. Judges or juries may also wonder why you didn't seek help immediately after your accident. You should also make sure to follow any doctor's recommendations fully, including seeing specialists or getting follow-up care.

Don't Try to Deal With the Insurance Companies on Your Own

As soon as you and your employer or the other party's insurance company receives a claim, they'll probably contact you to get your side of the story. Be aware that anything you say to them could become evidence in a counter-suit or defense against your claim. That's why it's essential to hire an attorney as soon s possible after your injury and refer any inquiries to your lawyer.

Make Sure to Keep All Documentation and Correspondence

Court case are won or lost based on proof, and that includes all documentation. You want to make sure that you and your legal team go into court prepared. Before your initial consultation with a lawyer, gather any correspondence you receive relating to the incident. This should include a copy of the police or incident report, copies of medical bills, doctor's referrals and any letters from insurance companies.

Stay Off of Social Media

The rise of social media means that any thing you post online is fair game, and you can be sure that defense attorney's, insurance adjusters or your employers is paying attention to what you say and do on social media. That includes previous posts that aren't directly related to your case. Such things can be used to show patterns of behavior or impugn your character, even those things that seem innocent to you. Even if you've deleted posts, they've still been made public at one time. It's probably a good idea to disable any of your social media accounts altogether, at least until your case is resolved.

The better prepared you are before going forward, the better your chances of getting the compensation you need to maintain your quality of life. If you or a loved one has been hurt due to the carelessness of another, talk to an experienced lawyer about your case.