Common Mistakes Drivers Make After an Accident That Can Hurt Their Claim
Road accidents are stressful. They’re confusing. And frankly — they knock you around.
You’ve got a fuzzy head, shaky hands, and the LAST thing you want to worry about is your legal claim.
But…
Your claim is affected by every decision you make in the minutes, hours, and days after the accident.
And some of these mistakes can actually cost you money.
The good news? Knowing what NOT to do puts you miles ahead of other drivers.
In This Guide
- Why These Mistakes Matter So Much
- Seven Mistakes That Reduce Your Claim
- Three Steps To Take Immediately After An Accident
Why These Mistakes Matter So Much
Accidents happen. Thousands every day, in fact. There were 128,272 reported road traffic casualties in Great Britain alone during 2024. But that doesn’t count unreported accidents.
Every one of those accidents involves someone sitting in their now damaged car, wondering “What do I do now?”
Hiring legal representation from specialist inquest solicitors is one of the best things a driver can do. At P.A. Duffy & Co., specialist solicitors guide accident victims through every step of the process, advising them on what NOT to do to avoid costly mistakes.
Biggest problem? Most drivers won’t contact a solicitor until AFTER making one of the following mistakes.
Accident Mistake #1: Apologising Or Accepting Fault
Yep, this happens more than you think.
One word throws away countless claims every year: sorry.
You made a mistake. Things didn’t go your way. It’s only natural to apologise. But it costs claimants thousands.
“It was my fault. Sorry.”
Insurance companies love hearing that. An apology at the scene is seen as admittance of liability.
Regardless of who caused the accident, saying sorry can invalidate your claim. Keep calm and stick to the facts.
Accident Mistake #2: Not Seeking Medical Attention ASAP
Ever noticed how calm you feel straight after an accident? That’s adrenaline. Your brain dumps it into your system to deal with high-pressure situations.
Unless you’ve been seriously injured, chances are you’ll feel perfectly fine at the scene. Injured enough to cause pain, but not enough to keep you off work or everyday life? You’ll probably think you’ve escaped without major injury.
Two days later, you’ll feel like you’ve been hit by a truck.
Soft tissue injuries like whiplash, internal injuries, and concussion take time to kick in. You could have serious injuries and not even know it. If you don’t visit your doctor immediately and create a record of your injuries, your insurer will argue that…
…They didn’t exist. Or…
…They weren’t caused by the accident.
Get checked out. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Accident Mistake #3: Not Gathering Crucial Evidence At The Scene
Few people take note of weather conditions. Give them ten minutes at an accident scene and they’ll record the layout of nearby roads, nearby signage, take photos of their car damage… you get the idea.
After an accident, evidence comes and goes in the blink of an eye. It’s up to you to gather it before it’s gone forever.
Photograph:
- The positions of all vehicles involved
- Close-ups of the damage to each vehicle
- Skid marks on the road or surface
- The layout of the surrounding roads
- Weather conditions, nearby road signs etc.
Write down:
- The contact details of witnesses
- Insurance details and driving licences of other drivers
Make sure a police report is filed, and keep copies of everything. You’ll be amazed at how often this information helps with a claim.
Accident Mistake #4: Providing A Recorded Statement To Insurers
You’ll get a call from the insurance company soon after. They’ll introduce themselves. They’ll thank you for your time. Then they’ll ask if they can record a statement.
Don’t let them.
This is one of the single most damaging things you can do for your claim. Recording statements is how insurance companies gather evidence to DEValue or DENy claims.
Sure, the person on the other end of the phone will sound nice. They’ll seem sympathetic. But they’re trained professionals. It’s their JOB to save their company money.
Get off the phone, contact inquest solicitors and ask for advice before doing anything else. It’s the safest move to make.
Accident Mistake #5: Accepting An Early Settlement Offer
Insurance companies work quickly.
You’ll typically receive an initial settlement offer before you’ve had the chance to establish:
- The full extent of your injuries
- How those injuries affect your life and work
- Your current, and future, medical bills
Insurance companies offer settlements quickly to prevent large payouts. The longer you wait to accept a settlement, the more they can argue your injuries aren’t severe.
Even if you feel fine after an accident, see a doctor. It’s important to get a professional medical opinion. Future injuries might not be visible or apparent immediately following a crash.
You have the right to claim for compensation… FOREVER.
But if you accept a settlement early on, you waive that right.
Accident Mistake #6: Delaying Legal Action
Time isn’t your friend when it comes to making a claim.
Witnesses leave details behind. Evidence degrades. Injuries worsen. That traffic cone you knocked over two miles away? Gone.
And let’s not forget TIME LIMITS. You have three years to initiate legal proceedings in the event of a road traffic accident. Beyond that, your right to claim disappears.
Legal claims for motor injuries have dropped over 50% since 2018 — and asking why tells the same sad story each time. Lawyers blame hungry insurance companies exploiting loopholes and making it difficult for victims to claim.
Don’t be that statistic.
Start your claim as soon as possible. Protecting your rights is paramount.
Accident Mistake #7: Posting About The Accident On Social Media
Social media is massively overrated anyway. But did you know insurers check Facebook?
…Instagram?
…Twitter?
ANY AND ALL social media accounts. So if you’ve been thinking about posting that picture of your new football team kit…
Don’t.
Anything you say or post online can be used as evidence to invalidate your claim. Wait until it’s over to keep bragging.
Wrapping Things Up…
Again, accidents are awful.
But they can impact your injury claim if you’re not careful.
Each of these mistakes can cost you money or even invalidate your claim completely.
The trick is to fight your instinct. Take deep breaths. Stay calm. And make sure you:
- DON’T apologise or accept fault.
- DO seek medical attention immediately.
- DO take plenty of evidence from the scene.
- DON’T give a recorded statement to insurers.
- DON’T accept an early settlement offer.
- Don’t leave it too long to start your claim.
- Don’t talk about your accident on social media.
Need some help with your claim? Speak to an experienced injury solicitor today for step-by-step guidance.
Finding a reputable solicitor you can trust is difficult. That’s why working with an ethical, professional team that supports clients every step of the way makes all the difference.
