At Maison Law, we offer representation to victims of California accidents so that they can move forward after their life has been upended by an accident that is not their fault. Dealing with the aftermath of an accident can be a difficult thing to face, especially if you have suffered injuries that impact every aspect of your life. If you have been hurt in a California accident that was caused by another party’s negligence, please contact us today for a free consultation that comes at no obligation to you.
Why People Exaggerate Personal Injury Claims
You’ve been involved in an accident and it is perfectly understandable that you want to bring a personal injury claim to receive damages and support that you need. The basis of any personal injury claim is to be as honest as possible so that you can receive the right amount of support for your injuries and other losses. It can be tempting to exaggerate your injuries and say that they are worse than they actually are, but this is a bad idea for many reasons.
There are many reasons why victims of accidents attempt to exaggerate their injuries in personal injury claims each year, which include the following:
- The belief that the exaggeration in injuries can lead to a higher personal injury settlement
- Underlying emotional factors caused by the accident including stress, frustration, and anger that cloud a person’s judgment
- Lack of awareness of serious legal consequences such as legal penalties and social damage if an individual is caught exaggerating their injuries
Many victims of accidents exaggerate their injuries by fabricating facts in untruthful claims, inflating the amount of medical expenses they actually incurred following an accident, and stating the accident resulted in psychological damage even though it didn’t. Though only a small portion of injury claims are believed to be exaggerated, it can lead to very serious results if a victim lies about the damage they have incurred.
How Surveillance Evidence is Used by the Insurance Companies
Insurance companies are always trying to come up with ways to minimize the payout that they give to victims of accidents. This means that, even if you specify that you were injured in an accident, the adjuster is not always going to believe it. Insurance companies, therefore, are always looking for ways to discredit victims and prove that their injuries are not as severe as they say they are.
As a way to discredit you, insurance companies are known to hire investigators that conduct surveillance to spy on you. It may seem illegal or unfair to do this but, as long as you are in a public place, an investigator is allowed to record audio and video surveillance of your actions. They might also take to social media to spy on your posts and prove that you are engaging in activities that do not support your injuries. For instance, you may claim that your injuries are so severe that you cannot work. If they find a post where you went out for a weekend skiing with your alleged injuries, this might prove that your injuries are not as catastrophic as you claim they are.
How Medical Evidence Can Help You Prove Your Injuries
One of the best ways that you can show the severity of your injuries is by having proper medical evidence and records to support your claims. If there is any doubt that you have been exaggerating your injuries, medical evidence is the best tool that can be used to prove otherwise. These types of evidence include test results, medical reports, and expert’s opinions on the future of your injuries.
If you even slightly exaggerate your symptoms, your physician or another medical expert will likely be able to tell. In the legal system, this can lead to financial penalties and severe legal consequences that you want to avoid. These impacts can affect you for the rest of your life, which is why you should always be honest about your injuries and their symptoms in full.
Tips for Having Your Injuries Taken Seriously
When it comes to your personal injury claim in California, the best thing that you can do is to be as honest as possible and set yourself up for success in your claim. Here are some tips to consider if you want your injuries and claim to be taken seriously after an accident:
- Never miss out on any opportunities to show that you can still perform certain activities. If your doctor says that you are still allowed to work, you should speak with your employer about what you can still do on the job.
- Getting a second opinion about your injuries is fine. However, you should never seek third, fourth, or fifth opinions in an attempt to make your injuries sound worse than they actually are.
- Never delay medical treatment, as you want to show that your injuries are as serious as you say they are.
- Listen to your doctor’s medical advice.
- Expect that the insurance company will do whatever it takes to watch your every move out in public.
Your personal injury lawyer will do whatever it takes to support you and give you strong resources that you need after an accident. You do not want to give the insurance company or defense any suspicions about your injuries, which is why honesty is the best policy during these stressful times.
Contact a California Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Facing the aftermath of any type of California accident can be a difficult thing to do when you have sustained serious injuries. Getting back on your feet is likely one of the most important things to you, which is why it can be beneficial to put matters in the hands of an experienced legal advocate.
At Maison Law, our California personal injury lawyers are here for you and your family during one of the hardest things that you have endured. We will help you navigate the legal system and provide you with the resources that you need along the way. Please do not hesitate to contact a knowledgeable and experienced lawyer today for a free consultation that comes at no obligation to you.
