How to Protect Your Claim After a Car Accident: Common Mistakes to Avoid

After being involved in a car accident, the process of recovering compensation for your injuries and damage can be complicated. Whether you were involved in a minor fender-bender or a serious collision, your ability to receive fair compensation depends heavily on how you handle the aftermath. At 770GOODLAW, we understand that car accidents are stressful and overwhelming, which is why we want to help you avoid the common mistakes that can jeopardize your claim. 

In this blog, we’ll go over the most frequent mistakes people make after an accident and explain how you can protect your claim and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

Failing to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

One of the most common mistakes people make after an accident is not getting checked out by a medical professional, even if they don’t think they’re injured. Injuries from car accidents, such as whiplash, concussions, and internal injuries, may not be immediately obvious. Waiting to seek medical treatment can: 

• Delay your diagnosis: Injuries that aren’t treated promptly may worsen over time. 

• Hurt your claim: If you wait too long to see a doctor, insurance companies may argue that your injuries were not caused by the accident. 

• Affect your compensation: In the worst case, failing to document your injuries could result in a reduced settlement or even the denial of your claim.

Admiting Fault or Apologizing at the scene

It’s natural to want to apologize or take responsibility after a car accident, especially if you feel like it was your fault. However, admitting fault at the scene of the accident can be a major mistake. Even if you believe you may have contributed to the collision, it’s important to avoid making any statements that could be construed as an admission of liability. Here’s why: 

• Fault can be complicated: Even if you think you caused the accident, there could be multiple factors or shared liability. For example, the other driver may have been speeding, distracted, or not following traffic laws, which could make them more at fault. 

• Insurance implications: Admitting fault early on could reduce the amount of compensation you receive or limit your ability to pursue a claim. 

Instead, stick to the facts and let the police and insurance companies determine fault based on the evidence.

Not Documenting the Accident Properly

Proper documentation is crucial to the success of your claim. Failing to gather evidence at the scene of the accident can severely hurt your case. Here’s what you should do to protect your claim: 

• Take photos: Capture detailed photos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, injuries, road conditions, and any other relevant details. 

• Get witness information: If there are any witnesses to the accident, make sure to collect their contact information and ask them if they’d be willing to provide a statement. 

• File a police report: Always report the accident to law enforcement, even if it seems minor. A police report will serve as an important piece of evidence in determining liability. 

This documentation will help strengthen your claim and make it easier for your attorney and insurance companies to evaluate your case.

Accepting the First Settlement Offer

Insurance companies are in the business of making money, and one of their primary goals is to pay as little as possible for claims. After an accident, you may receive a quick settlement offer from the insurance company. However, it’s important to remember: 

• The initial offer is often too low: Insurance adjusters often offer a quick settlement to close the case as cheaply as possible. This initial offer may not fully account for the extent of your injuries, future medical costs, or emotional suffering. 

• You may not know the full extent of your injuries: Some injuries can take time to manifest, and accepting a settlement too early may prevent you from being compensated for future medical treatments or long-term effects of the accident. 

Before accepting any offer, it’s wise to consult with an experienced car accident lawyer who can help assess whether the offer is fair and if there are any long-term costs you haven’t considered.

Delaying Reporting the Accident to Your Insurance Company

While you should avoid admitting fault at the scene, you still have an obligation to report the accident to your own insurance company in a timely manner. Failing to report the accident promptly can create complications: 

• Delay in claim processing: Insurance companies may have strict timelines for reporting accidents. Delaying the report could result in a denial of your claim. 

• Difficulties in gathering evidence: The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to gather key evidence that could strengthen your case. 

• Policy violations: Many insurance policies require prompt reporting, and failure to comply with these terms could result in a breach of your contract. 

It’s important to notify your insurance provider as soon as possible, even if you aren’t sure who is at fault for the accident.

Talking to Insurance Adjusters Without Legal Representation

Insurance companies often assign adjusters to assess the damage and handle claims. While these professionals are supposed to act fairly, their job is to minimize the payout for the insurance company, not necessarily to protect your interests. One common mistake is talking to an insurance adjuster before consulting with a lawyer. Here’s why this can be harmful: 

• They may try to get you to settle quickly: Insurance adjusters are skilled in pressuring accident victims to accept a low settlement offer, which may not fully cover your losses. 

• They may ask for a recorded statement: Anything you say to an adjuster can be used against you later. If you inadvertently downplay your injuries or admit something that could be construed as accepting partial fault, it could negatively affect your claim. 

Before speaking with an insurance adjuster, it’s always best to consult with a personal injury attorney who can guide you through the process and help protect your interests.

Failing to Keep Track of Medical Records and Expenses

After a car accident, it’s important to keep detailed records of all medical treatments, prescriptions, and related expenses. Failure to do so can weaken your case and prevent you from receiving the compensation you deserve. Some tips for tracking your medical information include: 

• Keep all receipts and invoices: Save all receipts for medical treatments, medications, and any other costs associated with your recovery. 

• Document your pain and suffering: Keep a daily journal that records your pain levels, physical limitations, and emotional distress. This documentation can be crucial for calculating non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

Not Hiring a Lawyer

Many people try to handle car accident claims on their own to avoid legal fees, but this can be a major mistake. The legal process involved in negotiating with insurance companies, proving liability, and calculating damages is complicated. An experienced car accident lawyer can help ensure that you: 

• Get the full compensation you deserve. 

• Avoid common pitfalls like underreporting damages or failing to meet legal deadlines. 

• Negotiate with insurance companies and other parties on your behalf. 

At 770GOODLAW, our experienced attorneys are here to help you navigate the complexities of your car accident claim and protect your rights every step of the way. 

Get Help from 770GOODLAW Today 

If you’ve been involved in a car accident and want to protect your claim, don’t risk making costly mistakes. At 770GOODLAW, we specialize in helping clients get the compensation they deserve. Our experienced attorneys will guide you through the claims process, protect your rights, and ensure you avoid these common mistakes. 

Call us today at 770-466-3529 to schedule a free consultation. Let us handle the legal complexities while you focus on your recovery.