A car accident can leave you physically injured, emotionally shaken, and financially burdened. While it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, what you do immediately after a crash can significantly impact your ability to protect yourself and your family. Unfortunately, many accident victims make costly mistakes that insurance companies use to devalue or deny their claims.
At Moore Law Group, we help personal injury victims fight for fair compensation and navigate the complex claims process. Below are 10 critical mistakes you should avoid to protect your rights and strengthen your case.
- NOT SEEKING IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION
Even if you feel fine, delaying medical care can hurt your health and your personal injury claim. Many injuries—like whiplash, concussions, or internal bleeding—may not show symptoms right away. Insurance companies look for gaps in medical treatment to argue that your injuries aren’t serious.
Tip: Always see a doctor as soon as possible after an accident, even if your pain is minimal; often times your adrenaline is high after an accident and as it wears off, the pain gets worse. Your medical records will serve as key evidence in your claim.
- NOT CALLING THE POLICE TO REPORT THE ACCIDENT
A police report is a crucial piece of evidence in personal injury cases. It provides an official record of the accident, including who was at fault. Without this, proving liability becomes much harder. Often times, the other driver will work with you at the scene of the collision, and even potentially admit to being at fault. However, days and weeks later, that story can change leaving you with an uphill battle to prove your case.
Tip: Always call 911 and request a police report. If officers don’t come to the scene, file a report yourself at the nearest police station.
- ADMITTING FAULT AT THE SCENE
Even saying something as simple as “I’m sorry” can be interpreted as admitting fault. The truth is, you may not fully understand who is responsible until all facts are reviewed. Most people do not know the vehicle codes thoroughly, which can be interpreted in different ways to benefit one persons story versus another.
Tip: Stick to the facts. Avoid admitting fault, and let an investigation determine liability.
- FAILING TO GATHER EVIDENCE AT THE SCENE
If you can, take photos and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, license plates, road conditions, and visible injuries. Collect witness statements and contact information—this can help prove what really happened. The best evidence is gathered as soon after the accident as possible.
Tip: Use your smartphone to document everything before the scene changes. Take photographs of the placement of the vehicles at the time of rest before moving your vehicle (if you can safely do so).
- WAITING TOO LONG TO CONTACT A LAWYER
The sooner you contact a personal injury lawyer, the better your chances of getting a fair settlement. Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and lawyers working against you—don’t go up against them alone. They tend to take advantage of unrepresented parties quickly in hopes of resolving the claim before the full value of the case can be achieved.
Tip: Call Moore Law Group for a free case review. We’ll protect your rights from day one and not let the insurance companies take advantage of you.
- TALKING TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY WITHOUT LEGAL HELP
Insurance adjusters are not on your side—their goal is to pay as little as possible. They may try to get you to give a recorded statement, which could later be used against you. They may also present you with documents to sign early on, which can completely bar you from obtaining further money at a later date.
Tip: Never speak to the at-fault party’s insurance company without consulting a lawyer first.
- ACCEPTING THE FIRST SETTLEMENT OFFER
Insurance companies offer quick, lowball settlements to close cases fast. But once you accept, you can’t ask for more money later—even if your medical bills continue to rise.
Tip: Let an attorney evaluate any settlement offer before you accept.
- POSTING ABOUT YOUR ACCIDENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Posting photos or updates about your accident can be used as evidence against you. Even a picture of you enjoying a night out could be misinterpreted as proof that you’re not injured.
Tip: Stay off social media until your case is resolved. Make your accounts private and do not accept requests from strangers until your case has resolved.
- IGNORING YOUR DOCTOR’S ORDERS
Skipping medical appointments or failing to follow treatment recommendations can hurt your claim. Insurance companies will argue that if you were truly injured, you would have followed your doctor’s advice.
Tip: Always attend your medical appointments and follow all prescribed treatments.
- MISSING THE LEGAL DEADLINE TO FILE A CLAIM
Every state has a statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you could lose your right to seek compensation.
Tip: Contact a lawyer immediately to ensure you don’t run out of time.
