Five Ways You Lessen Your Chance of Winning a Car Accident Claim

Car accidents are not only terrifying and painful, they’re also expensive. With property damage, medical costs, and time away from work as you heal, an accident can cause financial hardship for the entire family. When someone else’s actions or negligence caused the accident, you shouldn’t be left responsible for the damages.

By filing an accident claim against the driver who caused the accident, you can recover those damages and often gain an amount of compensation for your pain and suffering. But getting the most out of your car accident claim isn’t always easy. A successful claim compels the victim to prove the other driver’s liability for the accident, or in less common cases, the liability of the manufacturer of a defective car part or a negligent road maintenance agency. It’s important to say and do the right things after an accident and during the claim process. 

What are some things you shouldn’t do after an accident because they lessen your chance of a successful claim?

1. Don’t Admit Fault at the Accident Scene

Accidents happen fast and it’s not always possible to know how it happened immediately after an accident. During the rush of adrenaline, some victims blame themselves and then discover later that they were not the cause of the accident. When you blame yourself aloud at the scene, the words cannot be taken back and will be used against you by the other driver’s insurance company to deny your claim or minimize the amount they pay out. Even words like, “I’m sorry” or “I never saw you coming” are construed as admitting fault.

2. Failing to Document Crucial Evidence at the Accident Scene

Of course, if you are seriously injured, unconscious, or unable to move without causing further injury, there may be little you can do after a car accident other than wait in place for help. However, if you can use your phone—or hand it to an uninjured person to use for you—you can document evidence that can make your case against the other driver. If it’s at all possible, take photos of the accident scene, the damaged vehicle, and any traffic signs or signals. Then add the contact information of eyewitnesses to the accident so they can give testimony later.

3. Going Home Instead of Going to the Hospital

One of the biggest mistakes an accident victim can make is to avoid going to the hospital after a car accident. Sometimes adrenaline masks an injury, or the injury doesn’t become apparent until inflammation, bruising, stiffness, and pain show up later. If you don’t go to a hospital immediately after the accident, you’ll later lack the crucial evidence of your injuries. If the time gap between the accident and when you seek medical attention is substantial, the insurance company could assert that something else caused your injuries.

4. Oversharing on Social Media

Many people have become accustomed to sharing the daily details of their lives with friends and family on social media. To those who enjoy their online communities, it may seem unnatural to resist posting about something as momentous as a car accident; however, you may accidentally lessen your chances of winning your car accident claim by posting something like, “I was in a car accident, but I’m all right.” Later, the insurance company can claim that you did not post that you were injured, instead, you assured the world that you were fine. 

Even worse, posting a photo of yourself laughing on the beach a few days after the accident may make it appear that you’re less injured than you claim, even if you were actually smiling through your pain.

5. Accepting a Fast Settlement From the Insurance Company

It’s always best to hire a lawyer before speaking to insurance representatives after an accident and then directing all communication with the insurance company to your personal injury lawyer in Seattle. Unfortunately, many car accident victims sign fast settlement agreements and give up their right to a lawsuit. If they know you have a strong case, insurance adjusters may quickly offer a low settlement amount before you can even know the full extent of your damages.