What Should I Avoid Doing After a Personal Injury Accident?

Knowing what to do — and what not to do — after a personal injury accident can feel overwhelming. You may have heard that one wrong move could compromise your case, but how do you know what those “wrong moves” are? 

Your personal injury accident lawyer will provide in-depth guidance on what to do after your accident. In the meantime, review these examples of what to avoid. 

Avoid Admitting Fault, Even Indirectly

After any type of accident, it is easy to want to say “I’m sorry” or accept some of the blame. But you should never admit fault after a personal injury accident, regardless of whether you feel you were partially responsible. 

Apologizing or explaining your role in the accident will negatively impact your compensation case. Even if you have a sinking feeling you caused the accident, avoid saying so. Allow the police and the insurance companies involved to make the liability determination. You may be mistaken about your own contribution to the accident. 

Your personal injury accident lawyer can explain all of the types of statements that may be used against you during your case. 

Avoid Neglecting Medical Attention, Even If You Feel Okay

You may initially feel shaken up by the accident but unsure whether you are truly injured. Don’t wait around to seek medical attention. Even if you feel okay now, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider to make sure you do not have any underlying injuries. 

This appointment will not be a waste of time or money, even if it only uncovers minor injuries. You can use the medical documentation from the appointment as accident evidence, supporting your need for compensation.

If the appointment does uncover significant injuries, you will have clear evidence tying the accident to your condition. Waiting too long to seek medical treatment could make it challenging to connect your injuries to the accident. 

Avoid Leaving the Scene Without Collecting Evidence 

Whether you were injured in a car accident, a slip-and-fall incident, or another type of personal injury event, the accident scene contains valuable evidence that will support your case. Avoid leaving the scene without at least snapping a few photos. 

A personal injury accident lawyer will hope you collected all of this evidence from the accident scene: 

• Photos and videos
• Witness testimonies
• An accident report 

If your injuries prevent you from taking any photos, ask a bystander to do so for you. Once you leave the accident scene, much of this evidence will disappear. 

Avoid Sharing About the Accident on Social Media 

It may feel natural to post about the accident on Facebook or X and let your loved ones know you are okay. But doing so could compromise your accident case. 

Stating that you are “okay” in a social media post shows the defense that you do not need compensation to be made whole after the accident. Any posts showing you completing normal activities, like going shopping or meeting with friends, could demonstrate the same idea. 

Stay off social media until all insurance claims or lawsuits are finalized. If you want family members to know about the accident, speak to them personally, but be careful not to say too much and risk harming your case. 

Avoid Pursuing Compensation Without a Personal Injury Accident Lawyer

Navigating a complex insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit without legal representation can be incredibly risky. An experienced attorney can protect your compensation rights and help maximize your payout. 

At Cantor, Wolff, Nicastro & Hall LLC, we help accident victims across New York start to move forward. Contact us today at 716-848-8000 or fill out the contact form to schedule a free case evaluation with a personal injury accident lawyer.