If you have been injured as the result of someone else’s negligence, whether it be a car accident or slip-and-fall situation, one of the first things you want to do is obtain medical treatment for your injuries. However, there are routine mistakes that personal injury victims make when getting treatment that end-up hurting their case. Here are some tips for avoiding those mistakes.
One of the first things you want to avoid when seeking medical treatment is to not stop your treatment(s) early. Follow the treatment plan that your doctor prescribes, including taking all medications regularly and attending follow-up visits that your doctor plans for you. If you simply no show or neglect to fill your prescriptions, it will seem as though you are not injured as much as you are and insurance companies may not believe your claim(s).
On the other hand, you do not want to over-treat your injuries, particularly when it comes to things like massage therapy or the chiropractor. A few months of these treatments will not be sketchy, but you will raise red flags with the insurance company if you’re visiting the chiropractor 4 times every week for 2 years.
Another thing you want to avoid is omitting pertinent information regarding your medical history, or saying things that aren’t true. Be sure that your doctor(s) is aware of all your pre-existing medical conditions or injuries, regardless of whether they were aggravated by your accident. Your doctor(s) isn’t stupid, and he or she will make notes and observations in your medical records which the insurance company will eventually see. Again, if the insurance company believes you are lying or not being candid, they may believe your claim(s) are not legitimate or an attempt to receive damages in excess of what you actually deserve.
Finally, don’t exaggerate or over dramatize your pain and the extent of your injuries. It is not uncommon for insurance companies, when investigating your claim(s), to observe you or take videos of you in public (yes, they can do this). If you appear to have no trouble completing daily activities (going to the grocery store, picking up the kids from school, working, etc.), but you are reeling in pain at the doctor’s office – your claim(s) are going to seem disingenuous or fake.
By following these tips, you can avoid committing preventable mistakes associated with your medical treatment that will hurt your personal injury case.
If you have been injured in any sort of accident, you should always hire a personal injury attorney that knows the law in your jurisdiction to handle your case. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Murphy & Garner, LLC, have years of experience representing injury victims and we are here to fight for your rights.
Call us today for a free consultation at 678-563-1584, or visit us online.
