5 Personal Injury Mistakes to Avoid

Have you ever experienced a personal injury? You have likely dealt with something that could’ve qualified, even if you didn’t know it. Many people make the wrong decisions after an injury, causing them to leave money on the table and being forced to handle the problem without the help they need. 

What are some of the other big mistakes you should avoid when you experience a personal injury, and how can a facility like Injury and Health Urgent Care help?  

We offer many different puzzle pieces that can allow you to put together a case for personal injury and get the help you deserve. Our providers, Melissa Kempf, MD, and Shannon Wait, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, know a lot about this type of accident, and we’ll help you avoid the pitfalls. 

5 personal injury mistakes to avoid 

1. Thinking your injury doesn’t require a case 

In 2022, the number of personal injury claims filed in the United States declined by seven percent. This may be because many people don’t realize what constitutes a personal injury case. Let us be clear: any time someone else’s actions (or failure to act) result in injury, you have a claim of personal injury. 

You don’t have to be life-threateningly injured to deserve compensation. Some common instances that may require a personal injury claim include: 

• Being bitten or scratched by someone’s pet
• Falling on someone’s property because they didn’t correctly prevent the fall
• Getting into a car or flying accident where the other person is at fault
• Being the victim of medical malpractice  
• Getting hurt on the job or at a public business like a mall or movie theater

Many people who experience a minor injury sometimes ignore the issue, only to find out things have worsened later (but more on that in a minute). 

2. Not seeking medical attention soon enough

Many people walk away from accidents thinking they’re okay, so they don’t seek treatment or even a checkup from a medical provider. This is a mistake. 

For one, you could find out later that you’ve been injured worse than you thought, leading to problems that could’ve been dealt with earlier. We see this all the time in our practice. 

Additionally, you’ve made the mistake of not documenting the issue immediately, which is paramount if you’re going to form a proper case. The more your doctors and lawyers know about the accident — especially right after it happened — the better equipped they are to help. 

3. Not getting the proper paperwork filled out 

When you get checked out, you will want to do so at a facility like ours that offers full-service care. Not only do we document medical problems that occur with an accident, but we also understand how to do so in a way that helps your legal team. In fact, we work with your lawyer to ensure you get everything you need for a proper claim.

4. Working directly with your insurance company 

Sometimes, it can be tempting to work everything out yourself. It may seem cheaper than hiring a lawyer or less of a headache than getting a complete medical exam. 

But we urge you not to deal with your insurance company alone. They are not working for you. Their goal (understandably) is to retain as much money as possible for their company. Our goal is to help you get the support you need.  

5. Ignoring care instructions from your doctor 

This is our biggest no-no on the list. When you see a provider after an accident, following their advice to the letter is essential. 

If you don’t, you could risk getting worse in a way that your injury claim won’t cover. You might even risk losing your claim altogether because you didn’t follow medical advice. Trust us: you don’t want to experience this effect.

Do you need help with a personal injury claim?

At our office in San Antonio, TX, we provide urgent care to people who have experienced all kinds of accidents. We also go “above and beyond” to help you file a claim with your legal team. We even help you find a lawyer if you don’t have one already! 

Don’t wait; getting help for a personal injury is time-sensitive! Call us today, or set up an appointment on our website. You’ll be glad you did!