Guide to Preventing Mistakes in Car Accident Claims
Had a car accident and now you’re wondering what to do?
Being involved in an accident is scary enough without having to worry about making a mistake that costs you thousands in your insurance claim. The problem is…
The majority of people make one or more of these mistakes…
Insurance companies will deny between 5 and 15 percent of all claims submitted. That’s 5-15%!!! They could have settled with you if they wanted to but you did or said something that gave them an out.
It doesn’t matter if you have a minor fender-bender or if you’ve had a bigger accident, mistakes can cost you thousands of dollars on your claim. But working with experienced car accident lawyers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania or wherever you’re situated can help in avoiding mistakes that could cost you the compensation you deserve.
But that’s the good news…
These mistakes are completely avoidable. You just need to know what to look for and that’s why we created this free car accident claim mistake checklist for you.
What you’ll learn:
- Why Car Accident Claims Are Denied
- The Most Expensive Car Accident Claim Mistakes
- How to Protect Your Claim From Day One
- When To Get Professional Help
Why Car Accident Claims Get Denied
Did you know that insurance companies work against you?
Insurance companies are a business. They’re in the business of making money. Paying claims means less money in their pockets. That’s why they do whatever they can to avoid paying.
With almost 4,000 people killed every year in California alone, the claims process has become more cutthroat than ever.
Insurance adjusters are taught to nitpick claims and find any reason to deny or lower your payout.
The reality is…
Even legitimate claims get denied over some minor technicality. But it doesn’t have to be you. Let’s take a look at some of the most common claim mistakes and how to avoid them.
The Most Expensive Car Accident Claim Mistakes
Let’s go through some of the most expensive car accident claim mistakes one at a time.
Here are the 5 most common mistakes that cost people money:
Not Calling The Police
This is by far the most common and costly mistake people make after an accident.
Here’s why this is important:
Calling the police gives you an official report of the incident. It’s not just your word against the other driver’s. The responding officer notes the date, time, and location of the incident as well as their initial assessment of who was at fault.
If the other driver ran a red light and you have no police report, good luck proving that later.
Insurance companies love car accident claims without a police report because they can be easily denied.
Admitting Fault At The Scene
This right here is what kills more claims than anything else.
Statements like “I’m sorry”, “sorry about that”, “I didn’t see you”, etc. at the scene of an accident are a huge problem with insurance companies.
You’re just being polite but the insurance company will read these statements and use them to deny your claim.
Keep in mind:
You’re in shock. You don’t have all the facts and there could be factors you’re not aware of. Don’t admit fault. Let the claim investigation determine who is at fault.
Delaying Medical Treatment
This one is an easy out for insurance companies.
If you wait to seek medical treatment for a few days or even a week after an accident, insurance companies argue that your injuries couldn’t have been that serious or that your injuries were caused by something else.
The simple rule is:
Get medical treatment as soon as possible, even if you feel fine. Some injuries don’t present symptoms for hours or even days after the accident. Adrenaline from the crash can mask pain immediately after an accident.
Not Documenting Everything
This happens all the time and it’s a huge mistake.
When people think they’ve documented enough, they really haven’t. Proper documentation is crucial in car accident claims.
You need to document everything…damage to all vehicles involved, the accident scene, road conditions, skid marks, traffic signs and signals, debris on the road, any visible injuries, etc. etc.
The more evidence you have to support your claim the harder it is for insurance companies to deny you.
Giving A Recorded Statement Too Quickly
Insurance adjusters will call you and pressure you to give a recorded statement.
“They need it to process your claim.”, “It will help get your car repaired.” “It’s time sensitive.”
Here’s the truth:
You’re under no obligation to give the other insurance company a recorded statement. In fact, they’re professionals at asking you questions in a way to get you to admit fault or make statements that weaken your claim.
If they call, tell them you will give a recorded statement when you hire a lawyer.
Accepting The First Offer
Insurance companies NEVER offer a fair payout on the first settlement offer.
They’re hoping you don’t know what your claim is worth and will accept the first offer. When you combine that with the fact that third party bodily injury claims are averaging $27,373 per injured party, it’s no wonder why insurance companies lowball injured people.
Don’t fall for it.
That first offer is almost always way below what your claim is actually worth.
How To Protect Your Claim From Day One
Ok, now let’s talk about how to avoid these mistakes.
If you do this from the beginning, you’ll dramatically increase your odds of getting paid:
Call the police, even for a minor accident. A police report gives you documented proof of the incident. In many states you’re required by law to call the police after an accident.
Take tons of pictures and videos of everything. Cars involved, damage, accident scene, road conditions, skid marks, traffic signals, debris in the road, visible injuries, etc.
Get contact information from all drivers and witnesses. Drivers licenses and insurance cards for all parties involved. This allows you to verify that the information is accurate.
Get medical treatment as soon as possible. Some injuries don’t have symptoms until hours or days after an accident.
Most importantly:
Be careful what you say to everyone. Don’t admit fault. Don’t speculate about what happened. Don’t give a recorded statement without speaking to a lawyer.
Document Your Damages
One of the most important ways to protect your claim from the beginning is to document everything that the accident cost you.
Keep detailed records of:
- All medical bills and treatment records
- Lost wages from time taken off work
- Transportation costs for repairs/replacements
- Pain and suffering
- Any other out-of-pocket expenses
The more thorough you are, the stronger your claim will be.
Know Your Policy
Most people don’t know what insurance coverage they have until after an accident. Read your insurance policy before you need it.
Understand your policy limits, deductible amounts, and exclusions. Call your agent if you have questions.
When You Need Professional Help
Let’s talk about one more important way to protect your claim.
You need to understand what most people don’t:
Insurance companies have teams of lawyers and adjusters who work full time to deny claims and pay out as little as possible.
You are up against professionals who do this for a living. It’s a chess match and you need to make sure you have an experienced lawyer playing for your side.
If you have serious injuries, large property damage claims, or liability in dispute you need to hire professional legal assistance.
Experienced attorneys know how to gather the right evidence and build a strong claim. They also know how to negotiate with insurance companies.
The last thing you want to do is wait for your claim to be denied before you contact an attorney.
Staying Smart About Your Rights
Car accident claim mistakes can cost you thousands of dollars in compensation you’re entitled to.
The good news is that most of these mistakes are avoidable. If you know what to look for you’ll avoid these common claim mistakes.
The key is to remember:
Insurance companies are businesses. They will do everything in their power to avoid paying out claims. But if you’re prepared and follow the steps in this guide, you’ll protect yourself and get the compensation you deserve.
Don’t let mistakes cost you thousands when you’re already dealing with the pain and stress of an accident.
Take action and protect your rights from day one.
