Very few things in life sting worse than the pain of regret. Whether it’s something you should’ve told an ex, a job you should’ve applied for, a friend you should’ve reached out to, or a moment you should’ve kept your cool, we’ve all felt it.

Most of the time, we find ways to make peace with our decisions. We find ways to “look at the bright side” and move on – it’s just human nature.

However, there’s one type of regret that even the most optimistic person might have a hard time reframing: the regret of ruining your insurance claim following an accident.

This blog will highlight the 5 most common mistakes that can wreck insurance claims and how to avoid the dreaded feeling of post-accident regret.

Leaving the Scene Too Quickly

Humans possess what’s known as a fight or flight response. When confronted with threats to our safety, we typically resort to one of two courses of action – fight to try and eliminate the threat or run away to avoid it.

Being that you can’t beat up a car, many people experience a strong “flight response” during a crash. Faced with the shock of what happened, it’s totally normal to want to remove yourself from harm’s way following a traumatic crash. While this is a biologically warranted response to perceived danger, fleeing the scene of a major accident can be viewed very negatively in the eyes of the law.

In the event of a serious wreck, it’s of the utmost importance that you don’t leave the scene prematurely. Doing so can have a negative impact on your insurance claim and even violate Michigan law.

So, even if it goes against your primal instincts, it’s always a good idea to:

• Wait for law enforcement to arrive at the scene
• Exchange information with witnesses and any drivers involved in the accident
• Document the accident scene extensively
• Make sure to get a police report

By following these steps, you’ll ensure your post-accident insurance claim has the highest chance of success.

Admitting Fault

Similar to the previous accident scene mistake, admitting fault is something many of us do reflexively. While there are plenty of instances where an apology makes perfect sense (and is even socially encouraged), an auto accident is not one of those times.

Although it may feel natural to say you’re sorry to the other driver after an accident – you need to fight the urge! Even a casual apology can be perceived as an admission of fault. Don’t let your midwestern niceness lead to the blame for a crash being pushed onto you!

This doesn’t mean you should be cold or dismissive toward the other driver, however. At the end of the day, you should always be respectful of others – just make sure not to speculate (even if non-intentionally) as to who might have caused the wreck. Leave that for the police, your insurance, and your attorney to figure out.

Skipping Medical Attention

As Michiganders, we pride ourselves in our toughness and midwestern sensibility. It takes more than a bump or bruise to keep us down!

While this is generally a good rule to live by, there are times when grittiness might not actually serve your best interest.

Following a car crash, you should always get checked out by a medical professional. Even if you feel completely fine, many injuries like concussions and whiplash don’t present symptoms until hours (or in some cases even days) after an accident.

By treating injuries promptly, you can ensure the entirety of your pain and suffering is documented. This strengthens your insurance claim and helps avoid late-onset injuries as appearing unrelated.

Posting on Social Media

As covered in a previous blog, social media can seriously ruin a personal injury claim. While returning to posting on Facebook and Instagram can feel like a huge step in your recovery journey – it’s crucially important to consider what you post.

Throughout the duration of a post-accident claim, you’ll have insurance adjusters monitoring your every move, trying to downplay the severity of your injury and the difficulty of your recovery. Don’t ruin the narrative that you and your attorney are piecing together through a contradictory post or moment of over-sharing.

As an attorney, my advice would be to stay off of social media if you have an open insurance claim. If you absolutely need to be on social media, be sure to exercise extreme caution in what you post and consider switching your account to private for the duration of your case.

Talking to Insurance Adjusters Without Legal Guidance

As alluded to above, insurance adjusters are sneaky and conniving. While auto insurance companies claim to have your back, the moment an accident happens, this could not be further from the truth.

The sole role of insurance adjusters is to downplay your accident and minimize your payout. Anything you say to them can be twisted, manipulated, and used against you.

Before giving a detailed statement to an adjuster, you should always consult with an experienced injury attorney. A good attorney will tell you exactly what to say to adjusters and safeguard you against their rolodex of sly, payout-minimizing tricks.

Get David Get Paid

What you do after an accident is important. Even the most minute details can potentially derail your entire claim. At a time when every decision feels vitally important, make sure you choose the right attorney to handle your claim – make sure you choose Femminineo Law.

Before you talk to an adjuster, sign any documents, or accept any settlements, give us a call at 855-65-CRASH. We’ll review your case in detail and thoughtfully guide your next steps.

When your livelihood is on the line, go with the top auto accident attorneys in Michigan – Go with Femminineo Law.

Get David. Get Paid.