Preparing for a personal injury case can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! You may not know the action steps that can help or hurt your personal injury case, but that’s okay! We are here to help.
Every action and decision you make after your accident can determine whether or not you receive full compensation for your personal injury claim. That’s why we have put together a list of five important things NOT to do after your accident:
1. Signing Documents Or Speaking With Insurance Without Representation
The truth is, Insurance companies are good (too good if you ask us) at what they do. They have access to top-tier adjusters and attorneys who would love nothing more than to give you the smallest settlement possible. That’s why it’s extremely important that you gather the necessary documents and find an experienced lawyer BEFORE talking with an insurance company about your case.
2. Failure To Seek Immediate Medical Attention
After a car accident, be sure to visit your primary doctor or an urgent care facility right away to seek immediate medical attention, even if an injury is not obvious right away. This ensures that all injuries (scratches, bruises, lacerations, etc) have been documented by a medical professional. With a personal injury case, it’s important to follow ALL post-appointment care instructions and go to ALL follow-up appointments. When medical advice is ignored, an insurance lawyer can argue that you are not as injured as you say.
3. Accepting Liability
Car accidents happen so quickly, making it hard to piece together everything that happened. Without the big picture, it would be easy to take the blame for the accident even if it wasn’t your fault! For example, one driver may mistakenly believe that they turned into oncoming traffic, not realizing that the other driver had run a red light aggressively. That’s why, until a comprehensive investigation has been completed, you should never, EVER admit fault for an accident.
4. Using Social Media
Now more than ever, we are obsessed with documenting every moment of our lives on social media. If there’s no picture, did it really happen? In a personal injury case, anything you post on social media can find its way to the courtroom and be used against you by the opposing party. In other words, while you are in the midst of a personal injury case, it’s best to stay off of social media.
5. Hiring An Inexperienced Personal Injury Lawyer
When it comes to dealing with a personal injury claim, a qualified lawyer is your best ally. An experienced lawyer will be able to fight on your behalf, negotiate difficult cases, speak with insurance lawyers, and help you avoid mistakes that could jeopardize your case and lessen your compensation.
Conclusion
Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident? The personal injury lawyers at the Hammack Law Firm are here to help! No insurance company, defendant, or lawyer is too big for us to take on. Our clients are important to us and we are dedicated to pursuing the settlement that you need! So, relax and call us today! (864) 766-7108.
With over 25 years of legal experience, Paul Hammack provides his clients with a level of trial expertise and strategic insight rarely found in personal injury litigation. Having spent the first eight years of his career working within major insurance defense firms across Georgia and South Carolina, Paul gained an intimate understanding of the “other side’s” playbook. This insurance industry background serves as a unique differentiator for his clients; he knows exactly how insurance carriers evaluate risk and what motivates them to pay top dollar for a claim.
In 2008, Paul founded Hammack Law Firm to move away from the “plaintiff mill” model and focus on building personal relationships with those he represents. As a seasoned litigator, he has tried dozens of first-chair cases to verdict, specializing in high-stakes litigation involving catastrophic injuries and complex truck accidents. His dual-state practice allows him to provide aggressive representation across both South Carolina and Georgia, ensuring victims of negligence receive the maximum financial compensation possible regardless of which side of the state line the accident occurred.
Paul’s commitment to excellence is reflected in his record of significant achievements, including a $10 million tractor-trailer wrongful death settlement and a $3.9 million moped-versus-truck recovery. His credentials and bar admissions in both South Carolina and Georgia underscore his deep roots in the regional legal community. Beyond the courtroom, Paul is a dedicated advocate for his local community, contributing his time and resources to organizations such as the United Way, Red Cross, and Hands On Greenville, all while working to make South Carolina a safer place for everyone.
