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How To Preserve Your Personal Injury Claim (Part A)

With all the doctors, paperwork, and companies involved in a personal injury claim, it's easy to make mistakes. Even the most well-meaning Illinois accident victims can unintentionally sabotage their personal injury claims when they have not received the proper advice from an experienced lawyer.

Knowing some of the common mistakes many people make when pursuing a personal injury claim in Illinois will help you avoid doing the same.

Your Words Are Powerful

Insurance companies have employees dedicated to investigating all the claims that come across their desks, no matter how small. In many cases, the adjuster will take a recorded statement from you to get details of what happened in your accident.

During the questioning, their goal is to make you admit something by mistake that could potentially harm your case. You should also be careful when discussing the accident with co-workers, supervisors, and even family members, as any of them could also be questioned about your accident and what you said about it.

You should also be mindful of what you DON'T admit. When discussing the injuries you suffered as a result of the accident with your doctor, make sure you tell him or her everything in a complete and accurate manner. It is equally as important to discuss any pre-existing medical conditions you may have. You may think this would hurt your case, but honesty is good and will also help with your current treatment.

When discussing your claim with a personal injury attorney, you need to be honest about things like prior claims or criminal convictions. Concealing important information from your Illinois personal injury attorney will only delay that information in coming to light mid-trial. If your attorney didn't know about it, there's a chance the defendant's attorney will find out instead.

Little Lies Can Add Up Big Time

You've always heard honesty is the best policy, and it holds true, especially in personal injury claims. Exaggerating or falsifying information will always damage your personal injury claim and make you appear less trustworthy. Any medical claims you make are subject to the analysis of the insurance companies and courts, so lying now can cost you in the future of your claim.

You should also be as accurate as possible in your claim for lost wages. You must be able to support your claim with a recent tax return. If your claim for lost wages is hundreds of dollars more than your tax return, the claims investigator is going to question the legitimacy of your claim. Your Illinois personal injury attorney will work with you to ensure your claim is accurate.

Read on to learn more about common things you may neglect to do that can cost you big time.

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The Law Offices of
Barry G. Doyle, P.C.
5215 Old Orchard Road
Suite 710
Skokie, IL 60077
Phone: 312.263.1080
Fax: 312.263.0153

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