7 Fatal Mistakes People Make When in an Auto Accident

By: Steven Schwartzapfel

Fatal Mistake 1: Not Taking Immediate Action at the Accident Scene to Preserve Your Rights

• If you have an auto collision, stop immediately. NY law requires that you not leave the scene of the accident without first checking to see if there are damages or injuries.

• Call 911. Do not allow the other driver to talk you out of calling the police. When the police arrive, ask them to make a written accident report. Ask the officer where you can get a copy of the report. Check the report carefully to be sure all details are correct.

• Make written notes of the names, addresses, phone numbers and license plate numbers of all parties involved, including any witnesses to the accident.

• Remember that a picture is worth a thousand words. Use your cell phone to take pictures of all vehicles from various angles. Photograph the accident scene including skid marks and any physical objects that the vehicles struck.

• Exchange information with the other parties. Do not admit fault and do not make any statements regarding injuries except to the police.

Fatal Mistake 2: Not Documenting Everything That Happens

After the Accident Occurs • One of the first things to do after an injury is to go home and write out

everything you can remember about the accident. It is important that you keep a detailed pain diary. When you are in pain, it consumes you and that is all you can think about.

• Documentation is the key to keeping an insurance company on their toes. If you have to travel to the doctor’s office, keep transportation receipts and keep track of the mileage.

• Document your doctor visits. Keep a calendar and mark each medical visit. Keep a record of how long you had to stay confined to the bed, how long you had to use a wheelchair or walker, how long you had to wear a neck brace, and so on. Save your pill bottles, casts, braces, etc. to show physical proof.

• Keep detailed notes of all conversations with insurance company representatives.

• Document your lost wages. If you want to recover any earnings you lost you’re going to have to prove to the insurance company every penny you lost.

Fatal Mistake 3: Not Going to the Emergency Room, Not

Seeing Your Doctor, or Not Cooperating with Doctors

• See your doctor immediately after the accident. Don’t assume that just because you don’t feel immediate and excruciating pain, you are not injured. Also, an insurance adjuster may argue that the failure to see a doctor immediately indicates that an injury must have occurred elsewhere and is not from the accident.

• You need to make a commitment to your recovery by keeping doctor appointments. By missing a doctor appointment, you are saying to the insurance company that your injury doesn’t matter that much.

• Be sure to give each of your doctors a detailed explanation of exactly how your accident occurred. Be honest with the doctors about any previous accidents and injuries you have had. The doctor needs this information in order to distinguish your old injuries from your new injuries.

Fatal Mistake 4: Giving Statements, Signing Papers, or Accepting Any Insurance Company Settlement Offer without First Getting Legal Advice

• Don’t give any statements, written or oral, to anyone concerning your accident without first speaking with a lawyer.

• It is common practice for insurance adjusters to call injury claimants and attempt to record a statement before the victim has an opportunity to talk to a lawyer. The adjuster actually wants you to make damaging statements so the insurance company can deny your claim and pay you nothing or pay you very little. Under no circumstances should you talk to any insurance company.

• Do not sign any releases or waivers of any kind until you obtain legal counsel.

• Do not accept any checks from any insurance company that say “final payment” unless you are ready to settle your entire claim.

• Some injuries take time to develop. Many accident victims accept a fast settlement, only to find out later their injuries are far worse than they initially thought. Do not make the mistake of settling your claim before knowing the full extent of your injuries.

Fatal Mistake 5: Not Hiring a Lawyer or Hiring the Wrong Lawyer

• Some accident victims, in an attempt to avoid paying legal fees, try to respresent themselves and call an attorney only after the damage has been done, such as providing statements to the insurance company. Hiring an attorney is necessary to ensure you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.

• You should always hire an attorney in any accident that involves serious injuries.

• Hiring a lawyer is easy, but hiring the right lawyer takes a little extra work. Choose your lawyer carefully because it may be the most important decision you make for you and your family’s financial future.

• You need a law firm that will handle your case from start to finish, will pay personal attention to you, will be available when you need them, and will return phone calls promptly.

• The best way to learn about a specific law firm is to ask your friends and neighbors about them. If someone you know has used that firm in the past and has been satisfied with them, consider it a good recommendation.

Fatal Mistake 6: Not Being Honest With Your Lawyer • Don’t try to hide past accidents from your lawyer. If you have been in other

accidents, your lawyer can investigate this and make a determination as to whether this is a valid problem in your case. Not telling your lawyer and misrepresenting your accident history can be fatal to your case.

• You need to be upfront and honest with your attorney about any injuries that occurred before this particular accident. If you lie about it, and the insurance company finds out, then you may receive a much lesser settlement.

• Don’t try to hide any past lawsuits you’ve had, claims you made, or moneys received from past settlements. A good lawyer can effectively deal with these issues if they know about them.

• Don’t misrepresent your activity level. Insurance companies routinely hire private investigators to conduct videotape surveillance. If you claim that you cannot run or lift anything and you are caught on videotape doing so, you’re going to have a serious problem.

• Don’t forget to tell your lawyer about every doctor you see. This is very important so you don’t miss out on recovering money for specific medical bills.

Fatal Mistake 7: Exaggerating Your Injuries or Not Being Completely Honest in Other Ways

• Insurance companies will find out if you lie about one little thing, and then they won’t believe anything else you say. One lie, even a small matter, can kill your case.

• Insurance companies have access to any past injury claims you have made. It is important to be completely honest about other injuries you may have had.

• The insurance company investigator may follow you around town to see if you are working when you say you’re too injured to work. It is important to always tell the truth. There is no better way to destroy your case than to lie about something you did and then have a jury watch the videotape.

• Be honest and forthcoming with your own insurance company. Even if it may seem embarrassing, it is better if your insurer knows all the facts.