Most Common Personal Injury Mistakes People Make (and How to Avoid Them)
When you’re injured in a car accident, slip and fall, workplace incident, or any type of personal injury situation, what you do next can directly impact your case. At LoTempio P.C. Law Group, our Buffalo personal injury attorneys have seen far too many strong cases weakened, or lost entirely, because of avoidable mistakes.
Here are the most common personal injury mistakes people make after an accident, and how you can avoid them.
1. Not Getting Medical Attention Right Away
Mistake: Assuming you’re fine and skipping the doctor.
Why it hurts your case: Some serious injuries, like concussions or internal damage, don’t show symptoms right away, and insurance companies use that against you.
What to do instead: Always seek medical treatment within 24 hours, even if you feel okay. It protects your health and creates important legal documentation.
2. Speaking to the Insurance Company Before a Lawyer
Mistake: Giving a recorded statement or accepting a quick settlement.
Why it hurts your case: Insurance adjusters are trained to protect their company, not you. One wrong word can be used to deny your claim.
What to do instead: Do not go into detail or agree to anything before speaking to a personal injury attorney.
3. Failing to Document the Scene
Mistake: Leaving without taking photos or gathering witness info.
Why it hurts your case: Evidence disappears fast: weather, cleanup crews, or even memory fade.
What to do instead: If you’re able, photograph the scene, your injuries, property damage, and collect witness names and phone numbers immediately.
4. Stopping Medical Treatment Too Soon
Mistake: Skipping follow-up appointments or quitting therapy early because you “feel better.”
Why it hurts your case: Insurance companies may argue that you weren’t really injured or that you recovered quickly.
What to do instead: Follow your doctor’s treatment plan completely, and keep records of every visit.
5. Posting About the Accident on Social Media
Mistake: Sharing photos, saying you’re okay, or explaining the accident online.
Why it hurts your case: Insurance companies monitor social media, even a happy photo can be twisted to weaken your claim.
What to do instead: Stay offline until your case is fully settled.
6. Waiting Too Long to Contact an Attorney
Mistake: Taking a “wait and see” approach.
Why it hurts your case: Evidence fades. Deadlines (statutes of limitations) may pass. And early mistakes may not be fixable.
What to do instead: Call an experienced Buffalo personal injury lawyer ASAP, before speaking to any insurance company.
Protect Yourself — Before It’s Too Late
The steps you take immediately after an accident can determine the outcome of your case. You only get one chance to build it, make sure it’s done right.
If you or a loved one has been injured in Buffalo or Western New York, contact LoTempio P.C. Law Group today for a free consultation. Call 716-855-3761.
We fight to protect your health, your rights, and your future.