- Waiting to see a doctor
- Apologizing or saying “I’m fine” at the scene
- Giving a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company
- Posting about the accident (or your recovery) on social media
- Signing anything you don’t fully understand
Let’s walk through why each one matters.
Waiting to see a doctor
Adrenaline is a good painkiller for the first few hours. Injuries like whiplash, concussions, and soft tissue damage often don’t show up until the next day or the next week. If there’s a gap between the crash and your first medical visit, the insurance company will use that gap to argue your injuries came from somewhere else. Get checked out promptly, even if you feel okay, and tell your provider about every symptom, not just the obvious ones.
Apologizing or admitting fault at the scene
“I’m sorry” is an automatic thing to say after a scary event, however, it’s not automatically a confession. But in Washington, where compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault under our state’s comparative negligence law, a stray comment like “I didn’t see you,” can end up in someone’s notes and get used against you later. Stick to facts with police and paramedics; save the analysis for your attorney.
Giving a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster
You are not required to give the at-fault driver’s insurance company a recorded statement, and you shouldn’t feel pressured to just because they called quickly and sounded friendly. Adjusters are trained to ask questions that get you to downplay your pain or contradict yourself later. It’s fine to decline and say your attorney will follow up.
Posting about the accident on social media
Assume every post is visible to the insurance company, because in practice it often is. A photo at a birthday party or a “doing better” caption can be twisted into “this person’s injuries aren’t as serious as they claim.” The safest move is to stay off the subject entirely until your case resolves.
Signing anything before you understand it
Medical authorization forms, property damage releases, early settlement offers, some of these carry more weight than they look like they do. Before you sign, know exactly what you’re agreeing to and what you’re giving up.
What to do instead
Seek medical care quickly, keep a simple written record of what happened, gather contact information for any witnesses, and make sure a police report gets filed. Washington State Patrol’s collision reporting guidance explains when and how that happens. Our witness and evidence guide walks through what actually strengthens a claim, and our car accident fact sheet covers the property damage and repair process step by step.
Every one of these mistakes is understandable, and nobody expects to become an expert in insurance tactics the same day they’re dealing with a totaled car or a trip to urgent care. That’s what we’re here for. If you’ve been hurt in Tacoma, Pierce County, or anywhere in Western Washington, contact us today at 253.499.7844 for a free, no-obligation consultation. Before you talk to the other side’s insurance company.
Dealing with a slip-and-fall, a settlement offer, or an approaching deadline? Read 3 Mistakes That Can Cost You Money on Your Injury Claim, to learn why waiting is not to your benefit.