Martin G. Schulz & Associates have represented thousands of personal injury claimants since our founding in 1990. Our team of experienced and knowledgeable personal injury lawyers has helped accident victims and their families recover from the devastating effects caused by fatal motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, and more. If you have been injured, there are several things you should avoid doing to protect your legal rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Here are some important things to keep in mind:

Avoid making statements to insurance companies or signing any documents without first consulting with a personal injury attorney. 

Insurance adjusters may try to get you to settle quickly and for less than you deserve, so it's important to have an attorney on your side to protect your interests. When you are injured, it is common for insurance companies to contact you as soon as possible to try to settle your case quickly. They may even offer you a settlement before you have had the chance to speak with an attorney or fully understand the extent of your injuries and damages. While it may be tempting to accept a quick settlement, it is important to understand that insurance companies often offer low settlements that do not fully cover all of your damages.

That is why it is critical to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney before making any statements to insurance companies or signing any documents. Your attorney can help you understand your legal rights, evaluate the full extent of your damages, and negotiate with the insurance company to get you the compensation you deserve.

By working with an attorney, you can avoid making statements that could be used against you later on, such as admitting fault or downplaying the severity of your injuries. Your attorney can also help you avoid signing any settlement agreements that do not fully cover your damages or waive your right to pursue additional compensation in the future.

In short, working with an experienced personal injury attorney can help you avoid making any costly mistakes and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages.

Avoid posting about your injury or accident on social media. 

Anything you say or post can be used against you by insurance companies or opposing attorneys. In today's world, social media is a part of our daily lives. However, if you have been injured, it is important to be careful about what you post on social media. Insurance companies and opposing attorneys will often use social media to gather evidence to undermine your claim and reduce your compensation.

For example, if you post a picture of yourself engaging in physical activity after your injury, the insurance company may argue that you are not as injured as you claim to be. Or, if you post a statement that admits fault for the accident, it could be used against you in court.

Even innocent posts or comments can be misconstrued and used against you. Therefore, it is important to avoid posting anything related to your injury or accident on social media, and to limit your social media activity until your case is resolved.

If you do post about your injury or accident on social media, be sure to adjust your privacy settings to limit who can see your posts. Even if your profile is set to private, insurance companies and opposing attorneys may still be able to obtain access to your posts through legal means.

It is best to avoid social media altogether while your case is ongoing. If you must use social media, be cautious about what you post and adjust your privacy settings accordingly.

Avoid delaying medical treatment. 

Seeking medical attention as soon as possible after an injury is not only important for your health and well-being, but it can also strengthen your personal injury case. After an injury, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you think your injuries are minor. Delaying medical treatment could not only jeopardize your health and well-being, but it could also weaken your personal injury case.

Seeking medical attention right away will ensure that your injuries are properly diagnosed and treated, which will improve your chances of making a full recovery. Delaying medical treatment could make it more difficult to prove that your injuries were caused by the accident or could allow your injuries to worsen, which could lead to higher medical bills and a longer recovery time.

In addition, seeking medical attention right away can strengthen your personal injury case by providing documentation of your injuries and treatment. This documentation can be used as evidence in court to support your claim for damages. If you delay medical treatment, the insurance company may argue that your injuries were not serious or were not caused by the accident.

It is also important to follow your doctor's orders and attend all follow-up appointments. Failing to follow your doctor's orders could be used against you in court to argue that you did not take your injuries seriously or that your injuries were not as severe as you claim.

Avoid hiding any pre-existing medical conditions from your attorney or healthcare provider. 

It's important to be honest about any prior injuries or medical conditions that could impact your case. Honesty is always the best policy when it comes to personal injury cases. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or prior injuries that could affect your current injury claim, it is important to be honest with your personal injury attorney and healthcare providers.

Failing to disclose pre-existing medical conditions or prior injuries could hurt your credibility and damage your case. If the insurance company or opposing attorney discovers that you were not truthful about your medical history, they may argue that your current injuries are not as severe as you claim or that they were caused by a prior injury, rather than the accident in question.

However, being honest about your medical history will not necessarily hurt your case. In fact, it could help your case by allowing your attorney to anticipate any potential challenges and build a stronger case.

Your personal injury attorney and healthcare providers need to know your complete medical history to accurately assess your injuries, determine the appropriate treatment plan, and build a strong case for compensation.

Avoid discussing your case with anyone other than your attorney or healthcare providers. 

You don't want to accidentally say something that could be used against you later. When you are injured, it is important to keep detailed records of all expenses related to your injury, including medical bills, lost wages, and any other expenses you incurred as a result of the accident.

This documentation is important because it serves as evidence of the damages you have suffered and the costs associated with those damages. Without detailed records, it can be difficult to accurately calculate the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages.

Be sure to keep all medical bills, receipts, and invoices related to your injury. If you miss work as a result of your injury, keep track of your lost wages and any sick time or vacation time you had to use. If you have to hire someone to help with household chores or childcare, keep track of those expenses as well.

In addition, keep a journal or diary documenting your pain, discomfort, and any limitations on your activities as a result of your injury. This documentation can help your attorney build a stronger case for compensation.

The burden of proving your damages falls on you, the plaintiff. Therefore, it is important to keep detailed records of all expenses related to your injury to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.

Remember, the actions you take after an injury can have a significant impact on the outcome of your personal injury case. It's important to work closely with an experienced personal injury attorney who can guide you through the process and help you avoid making any mistakes that could jeopardize your rights.