When you’re involved in a car accident, your actions in the days and weeks that follow can greatly impact your ability to recover damages. Even seemingly minor errors can reduce the value of your claim or prevent you from receiving any compensation at all. Our Raleigh, NC car accident lawyer has worked with many clients who didn’t realize how certain decisions early in the process could negatively affect their case. Avoiding these common mistakes can help protect your legal rights and strengthen your position throughout the claims process.
Delaying Medical Treatment Or Ignoring Doctor’s Orders
One of the most damaging things someone can do after a crash is to delay seeking medical care. Some people wait days or even weeks, thinking their injuries will heal on their own. Insurance companies often use that delay to argue that the injuries weren’t serious or weren’t caused by the accident. Once treatment begins, failing to follow a doctor’s recommendations can also be used against you. To avoid these issues, we always encourage clients to get checked out right away and stick to the prescribed care plan.
Giving A Recorded Statement Too Soon
It might seem harmless to talk to an insurance adjuster, but giving a recorded statement before speaking with legal counsel can create problems. Adjusters often ask leading questions or pressure people into making statements that can be used to downplay liability. In Raleigh, our car accident lawyer frequently helps clients who were misquoted or misunderstood during early communications. It’s usually best to let our attorney handle communication with the insurer.
Posting About The Accident On Social Media
Social media can be a tempting outlet after a traumatic experience, but posting online about the crash, your injuries, or your recovery is a mistake. Insurance companies and opposing legal teams regularly monitor public posts and may use them to undermine your claim. Even a photo of you smiling or being active can be twisted to argue your injuries aren’t as serious as claimed. We tell our clients to stay off social media completely until the case is resolved.
Accepting A Quick Settlement Offer
After an accident, some insurers will offer a fast settlement, hoping you’ll accept before knowing the full extent of your injuries or damages. These initial offers are often much lower than what you may be entitled to. Accepting one may mean signing away your right to pursue additional compensation later. While it may feel like a relief to get a check quickly, it’s almost always worth taking the time to review the full scope of your losses with legal guidance.
Not Consulting With Legal Counsel Early On
While you’re not legally required to hire a lawyer, choosing to go it alone can leave you vulnerable. You may miss deadlines, misinterpret insurance policies, or make procedural errors that hurt your case. Our legal professionals have experience dealing with local courts, insurers, and regulations and can provide the guidance needed to move forward with confidence.
Moving Forward
Car accidents are stressful and can turn your life upside down. The last thing you want is to harm your chances of a fair recovery because of a few avoidable errors. At every stage, our award-winning team at Burton Law Firm believes in making informed decisions and taking the right steps to protect what matters most. If you’ve been in a crash and need guidance, don’t wait; reach out to our team today for a free consultation and discuss to we can help.