Hard working and honest people typically do not want to come across as a complainer or crybaby after an accident. Generally, people do not like to show weakness, sickness or disability. Our society expects people to suck up pain and illness and keep up with life’s responsibilities. Often people are championed for showing resiliency vis-à-vis illness and proceeding with business as usual.
Although this type of mentality may serve people well in the business world, it does not serve them well in personal injury claims. An accident victim should report injury as soon as possible to his/her doctors, attorneys and insurance companies. Insurance companies do not award accident victims for sucking up injuries and moving on as if everything is okay.
In fact, if you do not report an injury quickly to an insurance company after an accident, the company may be skeptical when the claim is made weeks or months later. Moreover, an injured accident victim should consult with a doctor immediately after an accident so that a diagnosis can be made; a treatment plan can be developed; and, a record of injury can be authored. Medical records will be used as evidence to support a personal injury allegation.
In no circumstance should a person exaggerate or lie about his or her injuries for pecuniary gain. However, failing to report actual injuries can damage a person’s case. In a personal injury case, the value of the case is proportional with the extent of the injury. Thus, a person will not receive compensation for an injury that is not reported. Further, doctors will not be able to treat the injured victim properly unless the doctor is informed of all injuries, symptoms and complaints when making his/her diagnosis.
After an accident you should ask yourself the following questions: Was I injured in the accident? What are all the symptoms that I am feeling? What chronic pain was worsened by the accident? How am I feeling for the worse since the accident?
After answering these questions, if you determine that you are in fact suffering from an injury you should seek medical treatment and contact a personal injury attorney. You should consider contacting a personal injury attorney before reporting the accident or injuries to your insurance company. This is because an insurance company may ask for a recorded statement or other information that an attorney should advise you on before giving. Most personal injury attorneys will give a free consultation, so there is little to lose by calling one.
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident, contact Law Office of Donald D’Aunoy Jr., LLC today for a FREE consultation: 1000 Veterans Blvd #203, Metairie, LA 70005, Phone: 504-508-6414. Speak directly with an attorney. Attorney Donald D’Aunoy Jr. offers FREE house calls to personal injury clients throughout southeast Louisiana, including Algiers, Amite, Avondale, Belle Chasse, Bogalusa, Boutte, Chalmette, Covington, Cut Off, Destrehan, Edgard, Franklinton, Galliano, Gretna, Hammond, Harahan, Harvey, Houma, Jefferson, Kenner, Laplace, Lacombe, Larose, Luling, Lutcher, Madisonville, Mandeville, Marrero, Marrero, Morgan City, Montegut, New Orleans, Norco, Patterson, Pearl River, Ponchatoula, Prairieville, Raceland, River Ridge, Slidell, St. Rose, Thibodaux, Tickfaw, Westwego. Mr. D’Aunoy is well reviewed on sites such as Avvo and Facebook.
