Will I Hurt my Car Accident Case if I Reinjured Myself at Work?

Car accidents occur on a frequent basis throughout California for all sorts of reasons, and those who are injured due to negligence or reckless conduct have the right to sue for monetary compensation. But a car accident lawsuit can take months – sometimes, years – to resolve. That’s why many victims consider going back to work, even if they are still in the recovery process. But going back to work too early can have negative consequences for your lawsuit, as well as your health in the long run.

We understand how difficult it is to make a decision on how soon to go back to work if you were hurt by a negligent motorist. An experienced auto accident injury lawyer is the best source of information if you are wondering, “Will I hurt my injury case if I reinjured myself at work?” For a free case evaluation on your rights and legal options, contact the offices of Normandie Law Firm.

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Do I have to Stop Working until my Lawsuit is Settled?

No, you do not have to stop working if you have filed a lawsuit for being injured in a car accident. In addition, there is no specific amount of time that you have to stay out of work if you are waiting for a settlement. This is ultimately a decision you have to make for yourself, though you should always do so based on the advice of your doctor and legal representative.

Many accident victims worry that returning to work will somehow invalidate their right to monetary damages. But even if you are able to work again, that doesn’t take away from the fact that you were in an accident, which caused you bodily harm. As a result, you ended up with monetary losses, like medical bills and lost wages. You may also have pain and suffering due to the trauma of being in a car accident, which is another form of compensation you can demand in a lawsuit. The defendant’s legal obligation to you doesn’t go away because you are able to go back to work. Thus, going back to work, in itself, does not take away your right to sue for injuries that were caused by someone else.

But even if you have the right to resume working, what happens if you reinjure yourself while you are at your job? This is very common for those who have been injured in an accident, whether they work a physically intensive job or sit at a desk for most of their work day. At this point, it’s understandable that you are worried about how this will impact your case, no matter where you are in the lawsuit process.

Will I Hurt my Accident Case if I Reinjured Myself at Work?

Yes, it’s possible that getting hurt at your job will have a negative effect on your car accident case. Keep in mind that this is a critical stage, where every decision you make is scrutinized by the defendant’s insurance company. It’s in their best interest to use every technicality and loophole to avoid paying your claim, or at the very least, pay you the lowest possible amount.

From decades of experience in car accident lawsuits, we know all about the arguments that are raised by insurance adjusters in their quest to get your case dismissed. Thus, if you go back to work and reinjure yourself, worsen your injuries, or end up with new injuries, it’s more than likely that the insurance company will use this as an excuse to doubt the validity of your claim.

We want to stress that having an old injury flare up is not uncommon, and this will not automatically cause your case to be dismissed. What it can do, however, is create an opportunity for the insurance company to make excuses and hold up your payment for months, maybe even years.

This is why you should always consult your doctor and speak to a lawyer that’s experienced in car accident injuries before you return to work if you are waiting to receive payment from an insurance claim.

Will Exercising or Playing Sports Hurt my Car Accident Case?

Just like resuming your work duties, there is a chance that being physically active to the same extent you were before a car accident can hurt your accident injury claim. Of course, some degree of exercise is recommended for many accident victims, especially physical therapy exercises that are not dissimilar to what you would do at the gym or a yoga studio. But these activities are recommended by a licensed physician as a vital part of your recovery after a serious accident.

Again, this is where advice from a doctor and a personal injury attorney will help you avoid a costly mistake. We rely on expert testimony from various medical experts in order to advise a client on what they should or shouldn’t do when they are in the middle of a lawsuit. This may include the activities you enjoy, which is unfortunate in the sense that you may have to hold off on these things until your case is settled.

Ultimately, our job is to provide you with honest answers rather than telling you what you should do. That means you will have to decide for yourself whether or not to exercise, go back to work, or do many other things that you took for granted before you were injured in a car accident. You may also want to take a break from social media, which many insurance companies check in order to see what you are doing. What may seem like an innocuous post to you about an ordinary event may be used by an adjuster to say that your injuries can’t be that serious.

For the most part, these are baseless tactics for the sake of dragging out a legal case, but it’s no benefit to you if there are unexpected delays and interruptions in your car accident injury case. If you would like more information on protecting your rights during an active car accident lawsuit, call us today and speak to a member of our legal team.

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Car accidents are traumatic events with devastating consequences for your health and finances. That’s why it’s essential to fight for every penny you deserve if negligence by another driver caused you harm and suffering. Unfortunately, it’s very difficult for the average person to navigate the claims process, which is why you should retain the services of a car accident injury attorney.

To ensure that nothing stands in the way between you and justice, we will never ask you to pay out of pocket for the cost of legal fees. With the Zero Fee Guarantee, we ask the party at fault to cover the cost of representing you. Since we only get paid by recovering your settlement, you owe us absolutely nothing if we don’t win your case.

We look forward to advising you and fighting for the compensation you are entitled to, so

contact us today and schedule a free case review.

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