5 Costly Mistakes to Avoid After a Car Accident

After a car accident, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The rules surrounding claims can be complex, and insurance companies often act quickly, creating pressure to make hasty decisions. We understand how stressful this time can be, which is why we want to offer our support.

If you've been involved in a car accident and have questions about what to do next, we invite you to take advantage of a free consultation with one of our experienced car accident attorneys. It’s a chance to discuss your situation, understand your options, and protect your rights.

Car accident claims are stacked against people who don’t know the rules. Insurance companies move fast. The paperwork adds up. And before you know it, you've made a decision that costs you real money.

Here’s what trips people up—and what to do instead.

1. Admitting Fault Without Realizing It

The other driver’s insurance adjuster will probably call you within 24 hours. They’ll act friendly. They’ll ask if you’re okay. Then they’ll ask for a recorded statement.

Here’s what they’re doing:

• Looking for anything that sounds like you were at fault
• Trying to get you to downplay your injuries
• Recording your answers to use against you later

Even casual comments like:

“I didn’t see them coming.”
“It was raining—I might’ve been driving a little fast.”
“I’m okay, just sore.”

…can be turned around and used to deny or reduce your claim.

What to do instead:

• Keep the call short. Give your name and basic contact info.
• Don’t talk about how the crash happened.
• Don’t guess or estimate anything.
• Don’t talk about how you feel.
• Let the adjuster know you’ll be speaking to an attorney before giving a full statement.

The wrong words now can shrink your compensation later.

2. Waiting Too Long to See a Doctor

It’s fairly common for accident victims to avoid medical care after a crash. They feel sore, but they assume it’ll go away. Or they don’t want to deal with the hassle or cost of going to the ER.

That decision can seriously hurt your case.

Why it matters:

• Insurance companies look for “gaps in treatment”
• They’ll argue your injuries aren’t related to the crash
• They’ll say you must not have been hurt if you waited days to see a doctor

Even if your pain seems minor at first, the full impact may take time to show up. Soft tissue injuries, back pain, and nerve damage can all get worse in the days or weeks after a crash.

What to do instead:

• Go to urgent care, your PCP, or the ER the same day if possible
• Explain clearly that the pain started after the accident
• Follow up if symptoms don’t improve
• Document everything—from diagnosis to prescriptions to time off work

Getting treatment early protects both your health and your claim.

3. Accepting a Quick Settlement Just to “Get It Over With”

A fast check might sound good—especially if you’re out of work or dealing with medical bills. But the insurance company isn’t doing you a favor. They’re trying to close the case before you know what it’s really worth.

Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, your case is over. You can’t go back and ask for more later.

Here’s what people don’t think about:

• What if your injury gets worse?
• What if you need physical therapy for the next 6 months?
• What if you can’t go back to your job right away?

That first offer usually doesn’t include compensation for:

• Ongoing medical care
• Pain and suffering
• Lost future income
• Long-term disability

What to do instead:

• Don’t sign anything under pressure
• Don’t agree to a dollar amount without knowing the full cost of your recovery
• Talk to someone who knows how these claims are valued before you settle

4. Assuming Fault Is Obvious and Not Protecting Yourself

You might think it’s clear who caused the crash. But insurance companies are trained to shift blame—or split it—to reduce payouts.

And in Washington, fault isn’t all-or-nothing. If you’re even partly blamed, your compensation can be reduced. In some cases, it can be wiped out altogether.

Example: You get rear-ended—but the adjuster says your brake lights weren’t working properly. Suddenly, they argue you’re 30% responsible. If your claim was worth $60,000, now it's down to $42,000.

Here’s how they dispute fault:

• They review traffic reports for any inconsistencies
• They question witness statements
• They frame the crash differently in their internal reports
• They look for social media posts or statements that contradict your story

What to do instead:

• Don’t assume they’ll get it right
• Don’t rely on the police report alone
• Document the scene—photos, witness names, and anything else that helps tell the full story.
• Keep your own version of what happened while it’s fresh

Fault can be disputed—if you’re not prepared, they’ll rewrite the story in their favor.

5. Trying to Handle Everything Without an Attorney

People assume hiring a lawyer means things will get more complicated. But doing everything on your own usually means you’re working off guesswork—and the other side is working off a proven playbook.

Most crash victims don’t know what a claim is really worth. They just take what’s offered and hope it covers the bills.

Here’s what a lawyer can help with:

• Calculating the full value of your damages
• Dealing with insurance adjusters so you don’t have to
• Making sure no deadlines are missed
• Helping you recover maximum compensation—not just for medical bills, but for lost wages, future costs, and pain that doesn’t go away

You’re not being greedy by asking for what the crash actually cost you. You’re just not letting the insurance company decide that for you.

Every Decision After the Crash Counts

The hours and days after a crash are where people lose ground. They say too much. They wait too long. They sign things without knowing the full cost. And most of it happens under pressure—from pain, from bills, or from an insurance company that’s already a step ahead.

What you do next can shape your recovery in ways that aren’t always obvious right away. You don’t need to have everything figured out. But you do need to protect yourself before choices get made for you.

If you’ve been injured in an accident, don’t wait. Call the experienced car accident lawyers at Freeman Law Firm, Inc. at (253) 383-4500 for a free consultation and let us protect your rights and fight to maximize your compensation so you can focus on healing and moving forward.

For more information, checkout our E-Book, "Unveiling Insurance Companies' Compensation Traps".