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Regardless of how you've been injured, if you have suffered an injury, you may be owed monetary damages for lost wages, medical expenses and other losses. Unfortunately, in the midst of all the chaos, it isn't uncommon to make mistakes that can cost you your entire personal injury case. Here are four mistakes that are 100 percent preventable:

1. Failing to Seek Medical Care Immediately

One mistake that can literally cost you your entire personal injury case is failing to obtain medical treatment immediately after the accident takes place. By waiting, the insurance company has the opportunity to argue that your injury potentially occurred in a completely different situation and environment – sometime between the time of the alleged accident and the time you finally sought medical care. Even if the insurance company doesn't go that route, they could still argue that your injuries weren't severe enough to seek out medical attention immediately and you may not receive the settlement offer that you rightfully deserve.

2. Providing a Recorded Statement to Insurance Companies

If you've never been injured before, you may think that it is harmless to give a recorded statement to an insurance agent. However, if you are nervous or unprepared when you speak to the adjuster from the insurance company, you may disclose information that could potentially harm your case. These recorded statements are often used to the insurance company's advantage and to find a way to discredit you in order to offer you a low settlement or to eradicate your settlement completely. These statements can be used against you, so it is best to not consent to one unless an attorney has told you to do so and has prepared you for it.

3. Missing Your Medical Appointments

After your accident, if you are required to continue seeing a doctor of any kind, it is vital that you maintain those appointments. Try not to reschedule them or be late. Failing to follow your doctor's recommendations, showing up to your appointments late or constantly rescheduling your appointments will show a judge or a jury that your recovery is not important to you or that you are not taking your personal injury case seriously. Remember, your doctor will likely be one of your most important witnesses, so your relationship with him or her is crucial.

4. Posting on Social Media

In today's day and age, everything blows up on social media as soon as it is posted on there. Even if you have a change of heart a minute after you post something, someone – or several someones – has already seen it and shared it or shown others. Therefore, even if you delete it, the chances are that your words or photos are already out there, and there is no taking them back. If your friends and family can get their hands on this information, the insurance company can as well. If this is the case, they can use this information against you and potentially weaken your credibility and overall case. This can lead to a lower settlement offer or a complete dismissal of your case, depending on the circumstances. So when you are involved in a personal injury case, it is in your absolute best interest to simply stay away from all forms of social media. Yes, it may be hard, but if you have any interest in winning your case, it is a must.

For more information on the do's and don'ts of how to handle a personal injury case, consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer.