How would you like to learn about costly mistakes that most people make after a car accident?
By not knowing what you’re doing wrong… you’re playing into the insurance company’s hands.
One bad decision after an accident can ruin your chance at maximum compensation.
Here’s what happens.
After a crash, the days and weeks that follow are extremely important. But unfortunately, most people do the wrong thing and severely hurt their own case.
The good news is that by knowing what NOT to do, you can protect your right to compensation and increase the size of your payout.
Here’s what’s covered:
- Why Car Accident Claims Fall Apart
- Biggest Mistakes That Ruin a Car Accident Settlement
- How To Prevent Weakening Your Claim
- How to Protect Your Case Value
Why Car Accident Claims Fall Apart
Car wrecks are chaotic.
Between dealing with injuries, vehicle damage, calling insurance, and police… it’s a lot to handle.
But here’s the kicker.
Insurance companies don’t have your best interest in mind. In fact, insurance companies spend every waking hour figuring out ways to pay you out less money.
As of NHTSA estimates, there were approximately 39,345 fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2024. That means millions of people file car accident cases every year, and insurance companies are fighting to pay as little as possible on every single one.
If you make any of the top mistakes listed below, car insurance companies have listed excuses to give you a lower car wreck insurance settlement.
The Biggest Mistakes That Ruin a Car Accident Settlement
Below are some of the most common ways people ruin their own car accident case. Keep reading to learn what you should NOT do.
Skip Medical Treatment
This is by far the number one mistake made by accident victims.
And unfortunately, it hurts the claim more than any other mistake.
Failure to go see a doctor following a wreck allows the insurance company to argue that your injuries weren’t serious. Even if you felt fine at the scene, don’t skip your appointment.
Some injuries have delayed symptoms. Whiplash, concussions, internal bleeding… they can all take time to show up. If you don’t go to the doctor immediately following the accident, it’ll be your word against the insurance company’s.
Bottom line: visit your doctor within 48 hours of your accident.
Provide a Recorded Statement
Do you know what the insurance adjuster really wants?
They want you to give them a recorded statement. At first, they’ll pretend to be your friend and want to sit down and have lunch with you.
But the insurance company is not your friend.
When they ask you for a “quick recorded statement,” they are gathering ammunition to use against you.
Let’s say you felt perfectly fine and tell the insurance adjuster “I’m not hurt at all.” But two weeks down the road you start to feel sore.
Problem is, your words will haunt you. Insurance companies will use that recorded statement to argue that you’re not hurt.
Tell them no thank you when they ask for a recorded statement. And always speak with a lawyer before giving a statement.
Post About the Accident on Social Media
You think because your Twitter profile is set to private that big bad insurance won’t be able to see it?
Think again.
Insurance companies have entire teams dedicated to searching social media and mining for information they can use against you.
It doesn’t matter if you think that post about your family dinner has nothing to do with your accident. If you’re smiling and sitting down, they will use that as proof you’re not hurt.
Simply don’t post about your accident on social media. And if you haven’t already, stop using social media period until your case is over.
Accept the First Settlement Offer
Let’s face it, when you’re injured in a car accident the last thing you want to think about is your insurance claim.
That’s exactly what insurance companies are counting on.
You file a claim, then they SEND YOU a low-ball offer. They know you’re stressed out, hurting, and probably trying to pay bills or take care of family.
But don’t fall for it.
The insurance company’s first offer is always too low.
They low-ball you hoping you’ll accept the first amount they offer. By accepting their first offer, you’re throwing away any chance of fair compensation.
Here’s something worth knowing… A trends report from LexisNexis showed that over 50% of claimants who hired an attorney received more money in a settlement.
Fail To Document Everything
If you leave the scene of the accident without proper documentation, you’re already losing.
When it comes to insurance claims, it’s always best to have hard evidence.
Some of the things you should document after a crash include:
- Pictures of the vehicles
- Damages to the vehicles
- Road conditions
- Any injuries you sustained
- Police report
- Witness information
- Medical records and bills
- Wage loss documentation
Wait Too Long To File A Claim
Just like with medical attention, waiting too long to file a car accident claim can hurt you.
Every state has what’s called a “statute of limitations“. If you file a lawsuit after that date passes, you lose your right to file at all.
In addition to missing the deadline, any delay in filing a claim will hurt your case.
Witnesses lose memories. Medical records become harder to connect to the accident. And insurance companies use the delay as an excuse to give you less money.
File your claim as soon as you can.
Not Hiring a Lawyer
This is arguably the biggest mistake you can make.
Many people try to handle their own car accident insurance claim without ever speaking to a lawyer.
They think lawyers are too expensive. Or not needed.
The truth is that going up against an insurance company without legal representation is a losing game.
A qualified attorney will know how to:
- Negotiate with insurance adjusters
- Calculate maximum value of your claim
- Document and present evidence
- Handle all deadlines
Insurance companies have teams of lawyers working for them. You should too.
Conclusion
Car wreck insurance settlements can be easily destroyed by the claimant. Avoiding these mistakes can help ensure you receive fair compensation.
Remember:
- Seek medical treatment immediately
- Don’t give a recorded statement
- Avoid posting on social media
- Never accept the first offer
- Document everything
- File your claim in a timely manner
- Hire a lawyer to maximize your settlement
If you’ve already made some of these mistakes, that’s ok.
The important thing is you know now!
Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of you. Take control of your claim and you’ll be on the path to maximizing compensation.