Putting together a strong personal injury claim can be challenging. For your case to have even a chance of yielding a payout, you’re going to have to present compelling evidence of both liability and losses. You’re also going to have to avoid making critical mistakes along the way.
If you’re wondering how to give your claim the best chance of success, read on. Here are some of the most important steps to keep in mind—and some of the most common missteps to avoid—when putting together your personal injury case:
1. Do Prioritize Your Recovery
Personal injury claimants are expected to take reasonable measures to mitigate damages. This starts with seeking prompt treatment and then following all doctor’s orders, and it doesn’t end until you’ve reached maximum medical improvement.
Put another way, no matter how much you might have to do in the wake of the accident, your first priority should always be your health.
2. Don’t Seek Support on Social Media
Before you turn to your favorite platforms for support, consider what might happen if the insurance adjuster were to come across the content. Could they misconstrue your posts and ultimately use them against you?
To keep your online activity from prompting the opposing party to challenge your credibility, it’s best to stay off social media altogether until your claim has been resolved. If that’s not possible, at least enable stricter privacy settings, and scrutinize every post before hitting “Publish.” Consider the content from all angles, and if there’s even a chance it might not be well-received by the opposing party, avoid putting it out there.
3. Do Preserve Evidence from the Scene
If you have any evidence from the scene of the accident, make sure to store it in a safe place until you can give it to your legal team. If you were hurt in a car accident, for example, preserve any dash camera footage, photographs of the wreckage, police reports, and statements from eyewitnesses. Your personal injury attorney will use such evidence to determine blame, so you can seek compensation from the liable party.
4. Don’t Say Anything on Record
The claims adjuster will probably ask for a recorded statement as soon as your case is underway. They’re going to want you to speak on what happened, as well as what kinds of losses you’ve been incurring. It’s best to refrain from speaking on record, however, until your legal team has completed their investigation and you’ve reached maximum medical improvement. Otherwise, you could say something that turns out to be untrue, thereby opening the door for a dispute.
Discuss Your Claim with a Personal Injury Lawyer in Houston
Are you planning on filing a personal injury claim in Texas? For help with every stage of the proceedings, turn to Chelsie King Garza, P.C.
A compassionate professional, Chelsie Garza has been advocating for injured parties and their families for more than 18 years. Call 713-893-8808 or submit her Contact Form to schedule a free initial consultation with this Houston personal injury attorney.
