3 Things You Should Never Do After an Injury

If you were injured as the result of someone else's actions or negligence, you may be able to file a personal injury claim. A personal injury claim is designed to help compensate you for medical expenses, lost wages, permanent injuries and disfigurement, and pain and suffering as a result of the accident.

The amount of money you are entitled to varies based on many factors. However, many people do not realize that the actions they take immediately following the accident and before the case is settled can have a direct impact on the outcome of their case and the money they receive. As such, you want to avoid doing things that can negatively impact your case.

Here are three things you should never do if you have been injured and may be able to file a personal injury claim.

1. Apologize or Admit to Any Fault

Following an accident, many people are quick to apologize or make statements about fault. For example, if you were involved in a car accident, you may tell the other driver that you are so sorry. While you may mean that you are sorry the accident occurred, saying that you are sorry can actually be taken as an admission of guilt.

Likewise, you should never make statements that indicate you could have any fault in the accident. For example, if you were injured in a slip and fall accident, you should never state that you could have slipped due to the shoes you were wearing.

Avoid apologizing or admitting to any fault in an accident, as you could admit to things that have no bearing on why the accident occurred. And once you say them, the statements can be used against you and they may negatively impact your case.

2. Give a Statement to Anyone but Your Lawyer or Police

Following an accident that has left you injured, you should avoid giving a written or recorded statement to anyone aside from your attorney and law enforcement officers. This includes the insurance company.

Any recorded or written statement can and will be used against you later. After an accident, your recollection of what happened may be blurry, you may be in pain, you may be stressed out, or an insurance agent can ask you a question you don't fully understand. Unfortunately, once you answer the question, it is hard to change that answer later and explain why the answer changed.

There is no benefit to you to give written or oral statements to anyone outside of your attorney and law enforcement. As such, it should be avoided.

3. Discuss Your Case on Social Media

The last thing that you should avoid if you have been injured is discuss your injuries or case on social media. In fact, it is strongly recommended that you avoid social media as much as possible while your case is ongoing.

Many people make the mistake of posting pictures that can be detrimental to a personal injury claim. For example, you may post pictures of yourself that make you look happy when, in reality, you are depressed and trying to get compensation for psychological damages.

Unfortunately, these happy-looking pictures could be used to undermine your case. Thus, it is best to avoid social media so the things you post can’t be used against you.

If you have sustained injuries due to an accident in the greater Indianapolis area, and you believe another party is responsible for those injuries, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim. Here at Wegner & Associates, we can help determine if you have a compensable claim and proceed with winning that claim. Contact us today to get started.