Wanna sue? Here’s what NOT to do...
1. DO NOT: Miss appointments
Insurance companies and juries get to see your medical records and they will know when you don’t show up. You may have had a very good reason for not showing up for an appointment, but generally excuses, no matter how valid, usually do not make it into the record.
2 . DO NOT: Go golfing. Play tennis. Take Lands End to John O’Groats bicycle trip
Because they’re watching you...
They are _ALWAYS_ watching you.
3. DO NOT: Wait to get injury treatment, or lie to your doctor about previous injuries
Your Doctor WILL ask you if you have had any previous injuries or illness before your accident. It is very important to be honest when answering these questions because it will allow the doctor to make a more accurate diagnosis and then be able to prescribe a more therapeutic course of treatment for you. Also, not being fully honest will only hurt your legal case. If you provide your doctor with incomplete information, their medical opinions could be rejected by the insurance company and by a jury. When insurance companies and juries review your records, they will be looking to see how soon you reported pain after an injury and how long you continued to report that pain. One easy way to make sure your pain and limitations do make it into your chart is to write it down before your appointment (or keep a daily journal) and then give it to your doctor at your visit.
4. DO NOT: Tell your Doctor you’ve got a multi-thousand (million?) settlement pending
Your doctor’s job is to focus on your medical care and he or she does not need to know about your legal issues. Not only is it unnecessary to share this information with your doctor, it can negatively impact your medical care and your legal case.
5. DO NOT: Inherently trust your doctor to keep accurate records
It is important that your lawyer knows every medical care provider you have seen and every procedure that you have done after an injury. It is also important that you keep track of all doctors’ orders, treatments, referrals, and work restrictions. The easiest way to do this is just to make and maintain a file folder to help yourself, your solicitor, and your case by keeping track of all your medical care.
6. DO NOT: Rent ‘Yes Man’ on DVD
Not a funny movie. 2 stars.
7. DO NOT: Brag to your colleagues at work of your settlement
Because they’re watching you...
They are _ALWAYS_ watching you (...this hasn’t changed).
8. DO NOT: Wait to find eye witnesses
After an accident, always exchange driver details and take some accident notes. Get out your pen and paper to gather the following:
- § name
- § address
- § phone numbers
- § driver license
- § license plate number
- § insurance company and policy number
In a situation where the driver’s name is different than the name of the insured on the accident vehicle – you will need to take down details for each of the driver and the car owner. In all cases, take photographs of the damage to your car, the other driver’s car, and the entire accident scene to give perspective of the event. Take wide shots of tyre skid markings to show vehicle travel paths. Photographs showing the entire accident can help you make your case to claims adjusters if there is a dispute. They also make good Christmas cards.
9. DO NOT: Miss court hearings
Captain Obvious says: make sure you go to your court hearings when required to! There are no good excuses for missing court dates, as the court will frown upon (at best) your hollow excuses. Somehow, it worked for Michael Jackson, but it probably will not work for you. No show at your peril.
10. DO NOT: Go to Euro Disney with your family
THEY ARE WATCHING YOU! Every _SINGLE_ one of them. All watching, YOU! Besides giving any private investigator studying your case the wrong ‘impression’ – the impression that you may, possibly, not be quite as injured as you have indicated – the weak pound means you’ll get less for your dosh. Stay close to home, plan a Pontins or ParkDean holiday to Cornwall instead.
BONUS! DO NOT: File your claim with a claims management company
Many claims management businesses offer loans, insurance or credit agreements.
It is always possible to use the services of a regulated network of specialist solicitors, like InjuryLawyers4u, and others. The approved solicitor that is assigned to you should manage all aspects of your claim. No middleman should make a profit at the expense of a client and/or their solicitors.
