Five Tips for Winning Your Personal Injury Case
If you have been hurt in an accident caused by another person’s negligence, you may have the right to file a legal claim against them to recover compensation. This compensation can help you recover medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses. To obtain the full damages you are entitled to, you must prove your case and protect your rights. Our Tampa personal injury attorney outlines some tips below that can help.
Do Not Apologize
Fault plays an important part when determining the damages you are entitled to. Under the new comparative fault law in Florida, you can only file a claim if you were 50 percent or less to blame for the accident. If you were partly to blame, any damages you receive will be reduced by your same percentage of fault. The liable party will often argue that you caused or contributed to the accident to shield themselves from paying full damages.
It is important that you do not apologize for the accident at any time. Even if you apologize that an accident occurred in the first place, the insurance company will take your words out of context to prove that you were at least partly to blame. Never apologize that the accident occurred.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
It is critical that you seek medical attention immediately after any accident. If emergency responders arrive at the scene, allow them to examine you. In the absence of medics, visit an emergency room or your own doctor after leaving the scene. Seeking immediate medical attention does not only ensure your injuries will not become worse, but it also documents the nature and severity of them. This can greatly help when proving your case in the future for full damages.
Tell the doctor how you were hurt and the symptoms you are experiencing. This will create a record of all injuries and your diagnosis, making it easier to prove your case to the insurance company.
Gather Evidence
In addition to medical bills, there are other important types of evidence that can prove your case. These include any receipts or invoices for medical treatments, physical therapy, transportation to and from medical treatments, and anything else that documents your out-of-pocket expenses. Photographs of your injuries during your recovery process and the amount of pain and suffering you are feeling. An injury and pain journal can also detail your pain level throughout your recovery and any limitations caused by your injuries.
Stay Off Social Media
Again, the insurance adjuster will use anything they can find to delay or deny your claim. They will comb through your social media profiles looking for recent photos that can disprove your injury. Or, they will use a post in which you say things such as, “I am doing okay,” to show that you are not hurt. While you may not have to avoid social media entirely, certainly do not post anything until your case is settled.
Remain Honest with Your Personal Injury Attorney in Tampa
Your Tampa personal injury attorney cannot work in your best interest if they do not know everything that happened, and has happened since. At Moore Law, our experienced attorney will listen compassionately about how the accident occurred, the injuries you suffered, and any pre-existing conditions. We will then build the strong case you need and collect the necessary evidence to prove it so you obtain the best outcome. Call us now at 813-510-5400 or contact us online to request a consultation and to learn more about how we can help.
