If you have been injured in a car or truck accident in Homestead or any community in South Florida, your immediate concern will likely be your injuries and damages. However, you will also want to carefully consider your rights and your future. If you decide to file a legal claim at any point, you will want to make sure that you don’t do anything to harm your legal rights. The most common mistakes that people make after sustaining a personal injury in Homestead or Florida include:
1) Not getting professional advice. It is crucial to get medical and legal advice soon after sustaining any injuries in a traffic accident in Homestead or Florida. Even if you do not think you have sustained any injuries, it is important to get a thorough check-up with a qualified doctor. Some injuries – including life-threatening head injuries – may not have obvious symptoms. A doctor’s visit can save your life if you have sustained a serious injury such as a head injury in Homestead or any Florida community. In addition to seeing a doctor, you will want to get legal advice from a personal injury attorney in Homestead or your community. Commercial truck accidents are usually quite complex and an attorney can help you to safeguard your rights.
2) Not getting documentation and information. The more information you have, the better your position for getting fair compensation for your injuries. If you have been injured in a truck or car accident in Homestead or any Florida community, start keeping documentation about your injury. Get copies of the police report, any medical reports or receipts, and keep track of any other information you can. Be sure to ask plenty of questions about your injuries, your rights, and any resources available to you.
3) Your social media presence. If you are active on any social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and others, be cautious about what you post after your accident. If you work with a personal injury attorney, discuss your social media presence with your lawyer. In some cases, even innocuous posts – such as a description of weekend events – can be used against you in a legal claim.
4) Leaving the scene of the accident too quickly. Wait until police tell you it is okay to leave, unless you have been seriously injured and need immediate medical attention. Make sure that you exchange contact information and insurance information if the accident was relatively minor. You do not want anyone accusing you of leaving the scene of an accident.
5) Downplaying injuries or symptoms. Florida leads the country in insurance fraud, and as a result insurance carriers are concerned about anyone who might be exaggerating their injuries. In some cases, however, injured motorists understate their injuries because they want to return to everyday activities or work as soon as possible. This can be a problem, as it can aggravate injuries and can make it harder for victims to recover fair compensation for their injuries. If you have sustained an injury that makes it hard to return to work or normal activities, you have sustained a serious injury and it is important to treat the injury as such.
If you have sustained an injury in a truck accident in Homestead or anywhere in South Florida, you can always contact the Flaxman Law Group to get a free case evaluation.