If you’re not used to insurance industry jargon and confusing policy terms, filing a claim for compensation following a car accident can be a nightmare. There are many common mistakes to avoid when filing an auto accident claim, and it’s important to keep them in mind to give your claim the best possible chance at success.
In this post, we’ll discuss the most common mistakes people make when filing auto accident claims and how you can avoid them.
Every successful insurance claim is based on solid evidence, and your role in collecting this evidence begins the moment you have your accident. Failing to collect evidence is one of the most common accident claim errors.
Even if you’re shaken or injured, you should do your best to document the accident scene. Take photos of everything—damages to both vehicles, any visible injuries, skid marks, road conditions, and nearby traffic signs. You should also collect contact information from witnesses, as their testimony can be invaluable.
You’re legally required to contact the police to report any car accident that causes an injury or at least $1,000 in property damage. Police will generally report to the scene of an accident in a case like this; if they do not, you should file a formal report in the nearest police department within five days of your accident.
Leaving the scene of an accident before the police arrive is a mistake that can have serious legal and financial consequences. Per our state’s hit-and-run laws, it’s a criminal offense to leave the scene of an accident without waiting for police, exchanging personal information with other parties to the accident, and providing emergency help to anyone who needs it.
This applies even if you’re not at fault for a collision. You can be the innocent party as far as the crash itself is concerned but still be guilty of a hit-and-run offense if you leave the scene of the accident too early.
Moreover, if you leave the scene, you forfeit the opportunity to present your side of the story to the police, which can hurt your insurance claim later on. By staying put, you ensure that the incident is properly documented and that your rights are protected, which is essential for securing fair compensation.
The legal process surrounding auto accidents can be complex, with various laws, deadlines, and insurance company requirements at play. If you don’t enlist the help of an experienced car accident attorney, you’ll be at risk of making a serious mistake and jeopardizing your entire claim.
A lawyer will be able to handle communication with insurance companies on your behalf, gather evidence, and advise you on the best course of action in your situation.
They can also help you to understand the true value of your claim, taking into account not just immediate expenses but also long-term costs like ongoing medical treatment and lost wages.
Insurance companies deliberately make their claims processes difficult to understand so that accident victims will make mistakes and potentially endanger their right to compensation. You might think that submitting an insurance claim will involve nothing more than filling out a few forms, but the reality is that it can be a minefield.
Common filing mistakes you should be aware of include:
Insurance adjusters may seem friendly and helpful, but you need to remember that their goal is to minimize the payout on your claim. Adjusters often ask carefully worded questions designed to trick you into sharing information that will damage your claim.
If possible, you should let an attorney handle all insurance company interactions on your behalf.
It’s not uncommon for car accident victims to significantly damage their insurance claims by posting on social media. You might think there’s no harm in posting a video of you going for a walk or playing with your kids; however, your insurer will likely be monitoring your social feeds for anything it can use to attack your claim. Footage of you engaging in physical activity might serve as evidence that your injuries are not as serious as you claim.
We advise many clients to completely forgo social media posting and commenting while their claims are ongoing. This might seem overly cautious, but it’s a better outcome than losing out on thousands of dollars because of a seemingly harmless photo or video.
Insurance is a complex beast. Claimants often make mistakes when seeking their compensation entitlements, and these mistakes can be extremely costly. The best way to ensure you don’t have an avoidable slip-up like this is to work with an experienced lawyer who knows how insurance companies operate and can negate their unfair tactics.
Contact The Cochran Firm in Philadelphia today to schedule a free initial consultation about your case. You can reach us via our online contact form or call 800-969-4400.
