When you file a Virginia personal injury claim for damages you suffered in an accident, you will need to be extremely diligent in how you behave in the following months. Your personal injury settlement is very much reliant on your behavior, evidence and the help of your Virginia personal injury lawyer.
The following 5 tips can help you protect the validity of your Virginia personal injury claim and avoid a wrongful denial of your case. This will save you and your Virginia personal injury lawyer the time and frustration associated with denied claims.
Tip 1 - Be Guarded in Your Conversations
Your every word can be considered evidence in your Virginia personal injury claim. Because Virginia is a contributory negligence state, you cannot be found to be at fault in any way for your injuries. If you even give a grain of information to the insurance adjusters that they could use to shoe you were at all liable, they can use that to deny your personal injury settlement.
Tip 2 - Discuss Everything with Your Virginia Personal Injury Lawyer
Keep your lawyer in the loop about all contact you have with doctors, the insurance company and any other parties related to the accident or your injury claim. Make sure they receive copies of any letters or e-mails you get from the other parties involved and take notes of any phone conversations. Before speaking with the insurance companies, make sure you consult with your Virginia personal injury lawyer.
Tip 3 - Explain ALL of Your Medical Issues
Don't hide anything about your health and injuries from your doctor. If it doesn't feel right, let them know. One of the biggest mistakes Virginia personal injury lawyers see is that their clients don't mention pains or complications until it's too late to claim them. Virginia has a 2-year statute of limitations, so if you're experiencing any new conditions after your accident, let your doctor know.
Tip 4 - Keep a Diary of Life after Your Accident
One of the big parts of a personal injury settlement that often goes underpaid is the non-economic damages, also known as compensation for pain and suffering. You should keep a record of how your injuries impair your daily activities and quality of life, including when you are unable to work. Your Virginia personal injury lawyer will use these details as evidence of how your injuries have caused you serious emotional, physical and financial losses.
Tip 5 - Be Honest
Don't try to over-play your injuries just to increase your personal injury settlement. Insurance companies have been known to track claimant activity levels through video surveillance, interviews and most recently, your social media accounts. If you claim you cannot run because of a knee injury, yet the insurance company obtains evidence of you out for a jog after your accident, it can be used to justify denial of your Virginia personal injury claim.
Contacting a Virginia Personal Injury Lawyer
The most important thing to remember when filing a Virginia personal injury claim is that you cannot be found to be at fault for your accident in any way to be eligible for a settlement. When someone else's negligence results in a serious injury or a death that impacts your family, you deserve to have someone on your side who has a real understanding of the complex realm of Virginia personal injury law.
The Virginia personal injury lawyer team at Tavss Fletcher takes the time to get to know you and the unique details of your case in order to provide the personalized help you need. Let us handle the complicated aspects of your Virginia personal injury case while you focus on healing. Contact us today at 757-625-1214.
Toll-Free: 877.960.3441
Phone: 757.625.1214