What We're Not Going To Do Is: 5 Things That Destroy the Value of Your Case

Hello there,

Last month we talked about how social media can negatively affect the value of your personal injury case (see Get Off the ‘Gram blog post here)

But posting videos of yourself line dancing at your cousin’s wedding or hooping at your local gym isn’t the only thing.

Here are 5 things that will have the check from your personal injury case looking like it’s been on Ozempic:

1. Delayed, Inconsistent and/or Disregarded Medical Treatment: If you’re injured in any type of accident, it’s extremely important that you get examined immediately by a medical professional. Otherwise, the insurance company may argue that if you waited to seek care, your injuries weren’t that serious or weren’t even caused by the accident in question. Missed appointments or long gaps between treatments raise doubts about the severity or legitimacy of your injuries, so consistently attending any medical or treatment appointments is imperative. If you don’t follow medical advice or if you delay treatment, insurers may argue you worsened your condition by failing to treat, so ignoring a doctor’s recommendation (like for physical therapy) can negatively affect the value of your case. Consistency in care helps establish a strong connection between the accident and your injuries, helping to protect the value of your personal injury case.

2. Lack of Evidence: Since insurance companies rely on documentation of your injuries in order to determine how much money, if any, they will offer to resolve your case, weak and/or missing documentation can undermine your claim. So immediately take pictures that clearly show your injuries, and keep copies of everything—receipts from pharmacy expenses, police reports, emergency room discharge papers, copies of your pay stubs to document compensation you lost while being out of work, etc.

3. Statements Made to Insurance Companies: Insurance companies lose money by paying out on personal injury claims, so it’s in their best interest to do everything possible to reduce their payout. They have teams of insurance adjusters working on claims to look for opportunities to deny or reduce the benefits you would otherwise be entitled to. Recorded statements can be used against you, especially if you minimize your injuries or admit any fault whatsoever. So don’t talk to the insurance company, not even your own! Instead, have all communications with any insurance company go through your personal injury attorney, don’t accept an insurance company’s offer or cash any checks sent to you by the insurance company without first discussing it with your personal injury attorney.

4. Inconsistent Statements: Conflicting accounts of the incident or your injuries weaken your credibility and can hurt your case. Insurance companies often hire investigators to try to get statements from people who may claim you said things that are not in the best interest of your case. So don’t speak to anyone about the accident or your injuries other than your personal injury attorney and your medical doctors. Silence can never be misquoted so the less said, the best said.

5. Lack of Legal Representation: There’s a saying, “A man who represents himself has a fool for a client”. Representing yourself in a personal injury case may seem like a way to save money, but it often comes with significant risks that can hurt your case or reduce its value. Self-represented claimants often aren’t well-versed in the applicable law, miss key legal issues and overlook things like future medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost earning capacity, or long-term disability. These costly mistakes can lead to self-represented individuals accepting much lower settlements from insurance companies, leaving anywhere from thousands to millions of dollars on the table. Never go it alone - hire an experienced personal injury trial attorney who can negotiate more effectively and protect your rights. And if you’re reading this, look no further than The Edwards Firm.

With more than 50 years of combined experience, we fight everyday to help victims of serious accidents put their lives back together. Your FREE CASE EVALUATION STARTS HERE or call (844) 8-FIGHT-E.

Fighting and Winning,

Lennon C. Edwards, Esq.

Founding Partner

Monique Carkum Edwards, Esq.

Managing Partner