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Motor Vehicle Accidents: The Do’s and Don’ts of Building a Car Accident Claim
While accidents are an unfortunate reality of life on the road, few of us are prepared for the moment disaster strikes. A car wreck can lead to serious injuries that take months or even years to heal. Many victims incur thousands of dollars in medical expenses, lost income, and other unanticipated expenses. Some are forced to live with health complications for the rest of their lives.
Thankfully, a skilled personal injury lawyer can help guide you through proceedings, advising you on common mistakes and how to avoid them. In this article, we share a few useful do’s—and don’ts—to keep in mind in the weeks ahead:
1. Don’t Post about the Accident Online
For many of us, social media is an important part of our lives. It’s where we go to celebrate our successes, share snapshots of our activities, or commiserate over life’s struggles. Naturally, in the wake of an accident, you may be tempted to post about this harrowing experience online. However, before you tap “post”, you need to take a second to think about the potential consequences for sharing information about the wreck.
The insurer might monitor your online activity for any evidence that could be used to challenge your case, so you should expect your posts to be scrutinized closely. Claims adjusters are adept at using comments, reviews, and even pictures to dispute claims, so it’s best to avoid posting altogether. You should also ramp up your privacy settings so that only approved friends and/or followers can view your posts.
2. Do Collect Proof at the Accident Scene
A convincing case is almost always built on a foundation of strong evidence. As such, it could help strengthen your case if you begin gathering proof immediately after the wreck. For instance, you could use your smartphone to take pictures of the accident, your injuries, and other aspects that could help you prove liability.
If anyone saw the accident happen, you should take down their names and contact details to share with your attorney. Eyewitnesses may be able to corroborate your version of events. Additionally, if you or someone else managed to record footage of the accident on their vehicle’s dashcam, or a nearby surveillance camera captured recordings of the incident, you should take steps to obtain these videos while they are still available.
3. Don’t Ignore Your Doctor’s Orders
If you’ve been instructed to take time off work to let your injuries heal, perform daily exercises, or avoid physical activity for the duration of your recovery, you should always follow your doctor’s orders. If it emerges that you deviated from your treatment plan, you could face disputes over failure to mitigate damages.
4. Do Track Your Damages Carefully
From invoices for your medical treatment to bills for repairs, you should save copies of any financial documents associated with your post-accident expenses. Such paperwork will likely play an invaluable role in proving your losses.
Discuss Your Case with a Texas Car Accident Attorney Today
Were you seriously injured in an auto accident? It may be in your best interests to speak to a skilled personal injury lawyer. At Hilliard Martinez Gonzales LLP, we offer free consultations, so you won’t have to pay us anything to get the information you need to start making informed choices about your case. Reach out to us today at 1-800-334-3298 or by sending us a message using our Contact Form to schedule a case assessment with a Texas car accident attorney.
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