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The World’s Worst Legal Advice on Personal Injury

personal injury legal advice

The internet gives people the false impression that they can become experts quickly on any subject, including the law. Sadly, this paves the way for gross misunderstanding of laws and statutes, and a victim’s rights after an accident resulting in personal injury.

Whether you were injured in an automobile accident, motorcycle crash or you tripped and fell at the grocery store, be sure you are not giving into these misconceptions and inaccurate legal tips. Otherwise, you might compromise your case.

The 7 Worst Pieces of Legal Advice (and What You Should Know Instead)

After an injury, turn to an attorney that works specifically in injury claims. You do not want to hire an attorney operating under the “jack of all trades, but master of none” principle. Otherwise, you might hire an attorney that is not as well-versed in the latest injury statutes and procedure.

Also, consider the seven most incorrect pieces of legal advice given (including some by attorneys), and the truth:

  1. Start an injury journal. Yes, writing everything down about your injury is important, but only if you can keep up with it. If you start an injury journal but stop, the insurance company might assume that you were not in enough pain to document further.
  2. You must have a personal witness there for the insurance’s medical examination. The independent medical examination (IME) is conducted by a physician of the insurance company’s choice. While your attorney can be present in the waiting room, you do not need a personal witness in the examination room. In fact, the physician is likely to ask them to wait outside. A witness intrudes on the doctor’s ability to take care of you or examine you properly, which might work against you.
  3. Tape record your conversation with the IME doctor secretly. Never record anyone. Not only would you be breaking the law for recording someone without their consent, but doing so will not prove anything.
  4. Do not start your lawsuit until you have recovered from your injuries. While you might have more treatments to go, your injuries could take months or years to heal. Doctors might follow-up with you over the course of several years to monitor your progress. If you wait for a physician to complete their treatments, your case could go past the statute of limitations. If you pass that limit, you cannot file for compensation.
  5. Stay away from work as long as possible. While you need time off to recover, if you extend it beyond a reasonable amount, the jury will wonder if you are seeking money fraudulently. Instead, do your best to recover and go back to work. If you try to return to work but cannot do your job, at least you tried – and that goes further with a jury than waiting around.
  6. You can get compensation for PTSD from a car accident. This is not necessarily true. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), can occur after an accident, but these are usually catastrophic and severe accidents that result in serious injuries or fatalities. A simple rear-end collision does not lead to PTSD. In order to recover damages for PTSD, you MUST get professional help (psychologist/psychiatrist).
  7. Do not tell your doctor when you feel better. This is wrong too. Injuries heal over time; therefore, you naturally would progress. If you continue to say you feel the same as the day of the accident, insurance claims adjusters and jurors will scrutinize your reports.

Avoid the Hiccups of Bad Advice and Seek Legal Counsel from an Attorney

When you are injured in an accident, you should speak with a personal injury attorney that has experience with your type of accident. A legitimate attorney informs you of your rights and aggressively seeks compensation for your injuries.

After your injury, contact Jeffrey H. Penneys, Esq. at 215-771-0430 on his cell or at the office at 800-465-8795. You can also request your free consultation online.

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