These happen every day β often unintentionally. Avoiding them significantly improves your ability to recover full compensation.
"I'm sorry" or "I didn't see you" can be used as an admission of liability. Fault is determined by the investigation β not by what you say in the moment.
"It's just a fender bender, let's handle it privately" β this leaves you with no official record if the other driver later changes their story or injury claims appear.
First offers are typically 40β60% below fair value. Once you sign a release, you cannot seek additional compensation β even if injuries worsen.
A gap between the accident and your first doctor visit gives insurers grounds to argue injuries weren't caused by the crash. Go within 72 hours regardless of how you feel.
Insurers routinely monitor claimants' social accounts. A photo of you at an event or exercising can be used to undermine your injury claim.
The insurance adjuster must inspect the vehicle before repairs begin. Fixing it first can void part of your property damage claim.
Adjusters are trained to ask leading questions. You are generally not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer β only to your own.
Every state has a hard deadline β usually 2 or 3 years β to file a personal injury lawsuit. Miss it and your right to sue is permanently gone.