A car accident is one of the scariest things a person can go through. In the moments during and immediately after an accident, you may find yourself confused and overwhelmed. However, simple missteps after an accident can put your insurance claim in jeopardy, costing you thousands of dollars. To avoid that, it’s crucial to understand what you should and should not do after an accident. Here are common mistakes people make after a car accident that you should avoid.

1. Not seeking medical treatment.

After an accident your body might be in shock, so you might not understand the extent of your injuries. Many people feel that their injuries aren’t that serious where they require medical treatment. It’s important to know that some injuries take days or weeks to show symptoms. If you delay treatment too long, the insurance company could argue that your injuries were not caused by the accident.

2. Not documenting evidence.

You might think it’s very clear who is at fault in your accident, but the outcome may surprise you if you don’t document evidence. Take pictures of the scene, damage to your car, and anything else you think could help your case. Gather the contact information of any witnesses who were at the scene.

3. Not contacting law enforcement.

Some states require that you call the police if you are involved in a car accident, especially if the accident resulted in property damage, injury, or death. You could be charged with a misdemeanor charge if you fail to contact police. If you don’t have a police report, it can be more difficult to prove that someone else was at fault.

4. You didn’t contact a lawyer.

Contacting an attorney before an insurance adjuster could cost you. The adjuster will try to get a statement from you that could be used to deny or reduce the amount you receive from your claim.

5. Forgetting to file your claim on time.

There is a statute of limitations for filing personal injury claims depending on the state you live in. In California, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident. If you don’t file your claim on time, you will be prevented from receiving compensation.

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