It can cost a lot to recover from injuries sustained in a car accident. Medical expenses, property damage, lost income, and more can all add up after a crash. And your insurance may not provide you with the full compensation you need or deserve.
Insurance companies are in the business of making money. And that means they don’t want to pay you any more than they absolutely have to after you’re in a car accident. That’s why it’s so important you don’t give them any reason to reduce your payout. Certain mistakes can reduce or eliminate the amount of compensation you receive, while there are other steps you can take to help maximize your compensation.
Here are a few mistakes to avoid after a car accident:
Posting about your accident on social media
While your accident may be an event you want to share on social media, posting about it online can be costly. If you say or post the wrong thing, your words can be used against you to pin some or all of the blame on you. If your social media posts give the impression that you were at all partially liable for the accident, you are not likely to obtain the total compensation you need.
Talking to the liable party
After an accident, the liable party may approach you and beg you not to file a claim or not to call the police. They may also offer to give you cash instead of contacting your insurance. Doing any of these things, however, can prevent you from getting all of the compensation you need to cover your total damages. After all, the full extent of damages to your body and your vehicle may not be readily apparent immediately after the collision.
Talking to insurance companies by yourself
When insurance agents contact you with questions about your accident, it can seem like they are just collecting what they need to issue you a check. In all likelihood, however, they may actually be looking for something else. During these calls, insurers are often trying to find a way to avoid paying you any compensation. They may try to get you to admit some sort of fault or otherwise take the blame for the collision and any resulting injuries. The best way to avoid making this mistake is by also avoiding the next mistake.
Not seeking help from a personal injury attorney.
A skilled personal injury attorney can speak to insurance companies on your behalf to negotiate for compensation that accurately reflects your current and future expenses. A lawyer can also help you avoid other costly mistakes that can leave you paying for your injuries yourself. You can let your attorney do the hard work in your claim and also help you avoid these and other mistakes that can keep you from receiving the funds you need after an accident.
