Personal Injury Claims: Five Mistakes to Avoid When Dealing With Your Doctor

If you were injured in an accident, you are certainly not alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that Americans make a collective 40 million emergency room visits each year. Through a personal injury claim, a victim can seek financial support to pay for medical care and compensate them for damages.

To put yourself in the best position to recover the full financial compensation that you rightfully deserve, there are some errors that you must avoid. A relatively minor misstep could undermine your personal injury case. Here, our Spokane personal injury lawyers highlight five of the most common mistakes that people make when dealing with doctors.

1. Waiting Too Long to Seek Medical Attention

You should seek professional medical support as soon as possible after a serious accident. An insurer may use your failure to seek immediate medical care as an excuse to deny or undervalue your claim. Do not give them the opportunity: Protect your well-being and legal rights by seeing a physician right away.

2. Underplaying the Severity of Your Injuries

It is not uncommon for people to underplay the severity of their injuries, even to their own doctor. You need to make sure that your doctor truly understands the extent of your injuries and the pain and suffering that you are enduring. If you downplay the severity of your injuries, your medical records may not reflect reality.

3. Not Explaining that Your Injury is Affecting Your Ability to Work

Are your injuries forcing you to miss time at work? If so, your doctor needs to know that and the information should be documented in your official medical records. Be sure to tell your physician the full extent to which your injuries are adversely impacting your day-to-day life, including your ability to earn a living.

4. Asking Your Doctor for Legal Advice

A medical professional cannot give you legal advice. Not only are they likely unqualified to do so, it is an ethical violation. Do not ask for or rely on your legal guidance offered by a doctor. To get information about personal injury law or the personal injury claims process, set up a free consultation with an experienced Spokane, WA accident lawyer.

5. Not Attending Follow-Up Appointments

Finally, it is crucial that you stick to your doctor’s instructions and attend all follow-up appointments. Simply going for an initial medical assessment is not enough. Failure to get the appropriate follow-up could be used as justification to reduce or deny personal injury compensation.

Get Help From Our Spokane, WA Personal Injury Attorney

At‌ ‌Albrecht‌ ‌Law‌ ‌PLLC, our Spokane personal injury lawyers are standing by, ready to fight for your rights. We have the skills and expertise to handle insurance companies. Our mission is to maximize your financial compensation For a free consultation, please contact our Spokane office today. We represent injured victims throughout all of Eastern Washington.