The recent case in which a chiropractor admitted to falsifying statements in a personal injury case may make some people doubt the personal injury legal industry as a whole. However, it’s not that personal injury lawsuits themselves are bogus: What is important is having real proof of your claims.
In the case in question, a chiropractor claimed that he suffered serious neck and back injuries in an auto accident. Upon investigation, however, it turned out that he did not see a doctor or another chiropractor about his injuries. Eventually, he admitted to fabricating his story.
These kinds of fraudulent claims are very rare. Highly qualified personal injury attorneys would probably not have accepted this type of case because there wasn’t sufficient proof that there was a legitimate claim.
If you do suffer an injury during an auto accident, make sure you get proof of your medical condition before contacting an attorney. That way, he or she can build an appropriate case. Follow these steps:
- Go to the hospital if you feel any pain at the time of the crash or if emergency workers on the scene recommend you do so. If your injuries are life threatening or interfere with your ability to work, get a doctor’s note to that effect. You should also save all your bills from the hospital and for follow-up care to use in your lawsuit.
- Go to your doctor if you begin to have pain or difficulty in the days following an auto accident. Get copies of bills and get a doctor’s note if needed.
- Apply for temporary disability if you are unable to work because of your injury and provide a copy of your application to your attorney.
You should also take precautions when using social media between the time you suffer an accident and the time your lawsuit is over. Social media posts can be misconstrued and may be used against you to demonstrate that you falsified or exaggerated a claim. Consult your attorney before posting anything about your accident or your lawsuit and refrain from discussing the specifics. You should also be very careful when posting photos, especially if there are no outward signs of the injuries you suffered, as they may be used to suggest you are faking your injuries.
Obviously, you should never make a false personal injury claim. If you have a legitimate claim, getting a paper trail started and avoiding the appearance of deceit will go a long way towards helping you receive the compensation you deserve.
