In everyday life, mistakes can usually be remedied with an ice cream cone, bouquet of roses, or carefully worded email. However, the claims process is far less forgiving. The insurance company will likely pounce on any errors you’ve made—whether big or small—in a bid to reduce your settlement or deny your claim. As such, you need to consider everything you say and do after the accident carefully.

In this article, we look at a few common errors you should avoid while your claim is pending:

1. You Provided a Recorded Statement

Shortly after the wreck, the insurer may reach out to you for a recorded statement. While the representative might assure you that they just want the “facts”, it’s not uncommon for individuals working for the insurance company to ask questions deliberately engineered to elicit specific responses that could be used to challenge your credibility. Fortunately, when you hire a car accident attorney, he or she will usually handle correspondence with the other parties involved so you won’t need to worry about saying something that might otherwise compromise your case.

2. You Didn’t Visit the Doctor within a Reasonable Timeframe

We lead incredibly busy lives, so it makes sense that many accident victims choose to skip seeking treatment after a wreck—especially if their injuries seem relatively minor. However, this is a crucial step in building a strong personal injury claim, so you should never forgo visiting the doctor.

Not only could a potentially serious condition go unchecked but failing to seek treatment within a reasonable timeframe after an accident could also lead to issues during proceedings. For instance, the insurer may argue that you suffered your injuries at a different time as the date of your doctor’s visit doesn’t correspond with the day of the wreck. Alternatively, they might assert that you failed in your responsibility to take sufficient measures to mitigate further losses.

3. You Failed to Track Your Damages

In a personal injury case, you will only receive compensation for losses you can prove. As such, you should compile any relevant documentation in a safe place ready to share with your attorney during the initial consultation. Important documents can include your medical records, invoices for repairs, estimates for home and vehicle modifications, paystubs to demonstrate lost wages, and receipts for your travel expenses to and from hospital.

4. You Posted about the Accident on Social Media

In today’s age, social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter have become digital meeting places for people all over the world. As such, many of our conversations happen online, with our thoughts, feelings, and opinions forever immortalized in the form of posts, pictures, and reviews.

For the insurer, your online feeds are a potential treasure trove of evidence. As such, they may start monitoring your profiles for any posts that could be used to dispute your claim. For instance, if you discussed the accident on Facebook, you might have said something inaccurate or untrue, arming the claims adjuster with the information they need to discredit your version of events.

Speak to a Nevada Car Accident Attorney Today

Were you hurt in a car accident? Turn to the legal team at Maier Gutierrez & Associates. The initial consultation is free, and you won’t owe us any attorneys fees unless we win your claim. Contact us today at 702-629-7900 or head over to our contact form HERE to request a case review with a Las Vegas car accident attorney.