Don’t Get Accused of Faking Your Injuries After a Car Accident
Author: Auger Law | October 4th, 2017
Think back to the last time you were sick. Think about the last time you suffered an injury. If you are like most people, you didn’t take it quite as easy as you should have. Maybe you have children who need to be looked after. Perhaps you have a job that doesn’t allow you to take extended sick leave.
No matter the reason, you aren’t one to rest on your laurels, no matter the situation. If this sounds like you, you need to be mindful of your behaviors if you are injured in a car accident.
Post-Injury Behavior
If you have been injured in a car accident and filed a claim with insurance or a personal injury claim in court, you need to be very careful of how you behave. One misinterpreted social media post or a quick trip to the store could have an investigator accusing you of fraud.
1. Stay Home
If you have sustained an injury, stay home for as long as your doctor tells you to do so. Staying home doesn’t mean that you can take a trip to the market or even drive to the fast-food place on the corner. It means that you need to stay home.
2. Get Off Social Media
Don’t post about your injuries while you are recovering. Don’t complain or brag. Don’t post photos of your injuries. Any of these behaviors could get you in hot water.
3. Don’t Exaggerate
Don’t be tempted to exaggerate your injuries after you have been involved in a car accident. Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys have been through the investigative process hundreds of times. They know how a strain affects a person, and they know what a broken bone can do to a person. Don’t over-dramatize your injuries in hopes of receiving more compensation – you may not receive any.
Why Is It So Important to Be Honest?
The biggest reason to be honest about your injuries and to follow your doctor’s instructions is to avoid negating any claim for compensation that you follow. Additionally people that fake their injuries in a car accident may be exposing themselves to charges of insurance fraud.
You read that correctly. Not only could you lose out on your chance for adequate compensation, but you could also face criminal charges should you be accused of and found guilty of misrepresenting your injuries following a collision. Depending on the unique set of circumstances, you could be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony.
You can be accused of faking the severity of your injuries even if you aren’t. It’s in your best interest to avoid the assumption that your injuries aren’t what you have perpetrated them to be. Stay mindful of your behaviors following your car accident.
If you have been involved in a car accident in Charlotte, you have legal rights. Call our experienced Charlotte car accident attorneys today to discover what those rights are. We will discuss your case with you at no cost and help you determine which steps to take.
