Does Taking Medication Affect My Injury Case?
Many people take medication regularly, whether over the counter (OTC) or by prescription, under the supervision of a doctor. This could potentially affect a personal injury case. Whether that’s true in your circumstances depends on a variety of factors. The facts surrounding the accident and related details will all be examined before fault is determined and compensation is obtained.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a medicated injury case, make sure you contact Veron Bice, LLC for a free consultation to discuss your case.
Medication and Side Effects
Each medication is different in how it affects the human body and mind. Some medications have side effects and may come with specific warnings and directions. For example, some medications may impair a person’s ability to drive a car due to potential drowsiness. When taking prescription medication, it is critical for the consumer to read all instructions and warnings and follow these as directed. This is of particular importance for new medications while a person is still learning how the drug affects them.
OTC medications are similar in terms of directions, warnings, and side effects. The difference here is that these do not require a prescription. Even though they are more readily accessible, this does not automatically make them safe to use in all situations. For example, allergy medication, such as Benadryl, can cause drowsiness and may not be appropriate to use before driving.
As a person using a medication, whether prescription or OTC, it’s crucial that you do so carefully and safely. Be sure to read and understand all the directions and warnings. Your doctor needs to know if you are taking any other medications, because there may be interactions between them and any new drug they prescribe. If you have any questions, talk with your doctor before taking the new drug. It’s essential that you know the potential side effects and how to recognize them. This is especially true for side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision, whether or not you are regularly driving a motor vehicle.
Talking About Your Injury and Medication
When you’ve been in a car crash, you may feel bad about the accident, and you may want to talk about it. This is completely understandable. No matter how you feel or what opinions you have about the accident, whose fault it was, or who made a mistake, it is critical that you do not express these to an insurance adjuster. Any such statement may be used against you. This may include statements about any medication you are taking, even if it is a prescription medication taken under a doctor’s supervision.
The best thing you can do is to let your legal team sort out the facts of your case. An experienced attorney will collect all documentation, including medical records and police reports. They will use these documents to demonstrate fault and to build the strongest case possible for you. During this time, you may feel pressure to make a recorded statement at the insurance company’s request. Don’t. While you may be eager to get things moving, this is not the time to go on the record. Let your attorney guide you so that any statements you make strengthen your case.
Do I Need an Attorney?
The companies involved in personal injury cases know how the legal system works, and they use this to their advantage. They may attempt to get you to say things that imply you were at fault so they can pay out as little money as possible. They may also try to offer a lowball settlement in hopes that you will accept. When they do so, they are assuming that you don’t know what amount is fair or what components may be included in your compensation.
An experienced attorney will consider all the elements of financial compensation to which you may be entitled. This may include prescription medication, future medical treatment, physical therapy, lost wages, future earnings, emotional distress, and pain and suffering.
The state of Louisiana uses a system called comparative negligence to apportion fault for an accident. This means that if you are partly at fault for the accident, then the amount of compensation you are entitled to will be reduced by that percentage. For example, if you are determined to be 20 percent liable for the crash, then you could recover only up to 80 percent of your losses. When you hire Veron Bice, LLC to handle your claim or lawsuit, you can be sure that we will pursue the full amount that may be yours.
Contact Us Today
If you have been seriously injured in Louisiana in an accident that was caused by someone else, you might be entitled to compensation, even if you believe the medication you’re taking played a part in causing the crash. Let Veron Bice, LLC take on the responsibility of your case. We’ll do all we can to build a strong case for you.
We are local attorneys, and all our partners have spent their whole careers practicing law in Lake Charles and the surrounding areas. We have represented many individuals in situations like yours and our results speak for themselves.
Contact us today at 337-310-1600 to speak with one of our Lake Charles car accident attorneys about your case and your options. We will fight for all the monetary compensation you deserve. Call Veron Bice, LLC today so that you can put this injury behind you and move forward with your life.
