You did everything right. You were driving carefully, following the law, and then bam! Someone rear-ends you at a red light. Open and shut the case, right? The other driver is 100% at fault, so getting compensation should be simple.
But fast forward a few weeks, and your claim isn’t moving as smoothly as you thought. Turns out that some minor missteps on your part give the insurance company reasons to pay you less or deny your claim altogether.
“I’ve seen it happen time and time again. Clients with strong cases often struggle to secure fair compensation because they have made common but costly mistakes. Something as simple as waiting too long to see a doctor or posting on Instagram can turn a winning case into a nightmare,” says car accident lawyer Christopher Largey of Largey Law.
This article will discuss the typical personal injury mistakes you should watch out for.
Not Getting Medical Attention Immediately
Insurance companies love it when you delay medical treatment. Why? It gives them an easy excuse to deny or downplay your claim. They’ll say, “Why didn’t you see a doctor right away if you were injured?”
In Florida, you have 14 days from the date of the incident to see a doctor. If you miss that window, your personal injury protection benefits could disappear, meaning your own insurance might not even cover your medical bills.
Accepting a Quick Settlement from the Insurance Company
A quick settlement today might feel relief, but what about six months from now? What if your pain doesn’t go away? What if you need physical therapy, injections, or surgery? The first offer is almost always the lowest amount the insurance company thinks you’ll accept.
If insurers are eager to settle, it’s because they know they should pay you more. And once you sign, you can’t ask for more—even if your medical bills skyrocket later. The smartest move is to let your car accident lawyer review the settlement before signing off on anything.
Talking Too Much
You’ve heard this line before: “Anything you say can and will be used against you.” That’s not just for criminal cases; it applies to personal injury claims, too.
If an insurance adjuster calls you and asks how you’re feeling, and you say, “I’m okay,” it might seem harmless. But that innocent sentence can be used against you. If you’re okay, why should they pay your medical bills? Why should they cover lost wages?
Not Documenting the Scene Properly
You don’t need a fancy legal team at the accident scene—you just need your phone. That little device can make or break your case. So snap photos of everything: injuries, vehicle damage, street signs, skid marks, and even the weather. The more you document, the harder it is to deny what happened.
Waiting Too Long to Take Legal Action
The longer you wait, the more difficult your case becomes. Witness memories fade, evidence disappears, and insurance companies build stronger defenses. If you wait too long, the law bars you from filing a claim.
Personal injury cases have an expiration date known as the statute of limitations. In Florida, you have two years from the incident date to file a claim, though exemptions such as the discovery rule exist.
Posting on Social Media
You might think that only your friends and family see your posts, but insurance companies watch too. They hire investigators to comb through your social media posts to find anything that contradicts your claim.
You might wake up one day and post, “Feeling better!” Just an innocent social media post to boost and motivate your day as you cope with the accident’s aftermath. But this single mistake can cost you thousands of dollars in compensation.
Final Thoughts
You don’t get a second chance to handle your personal injury claim. A single mistake can ruin everything, leaving you with less than you deserve. The most effective way to protect yourself is to know your rights, document everything, and let a car accident lawyer guide you through the process.