Common Mistakes Motorists Make

Motorists often make costly mistakes when they are involved in an accident. First, motorists will often downplay injuries they sustain from the accident, thinking that they will heal on their own. However, pain that persists over three months is 90 percent likely to become permanent and may require regular and costly medical treatment.

Another common mistake is thinking that your insurer will act in favor of your best interests. Insurance companies want to settle your claim as quickly and as cheaply as possible. Utah law requires your insurer to pay up to $3,000 of your medical bills, regardless of who is responsible for the accident, without raising your insurance rates.

A related mistake is that motorists will often accept a settlement offer from their insurer without knowing what is at stake. People who do this often fail to ensure that all of their current and long-term costs are adequately covered by the settlement and sign away their rights in the process.

Finally, accident victims frequently neglect to complete the paperwork associated with an accident on time. If insurance forms or medical documentation are not filed on time you may miss out on benefits and have to pay for these expenses out of pocket.

What to do After an Accident

To avoid the common mistakes made following an accident, you should take the follwoing steps:

• See a doctor-in addition to treating your aches and pains, this will document any injury that you sustained in the accident for later use.
• Gather evidence-if you can, take pictures of the accident scene, showing the damage to your vehicle and your injuries. Also, note the names of any witnesses.
• Notify your insurance company-however, don't sign anything or give a statement before speaking with an attorney.

No person can be completely prepared for what follows an accident. However, by following these basic steps, it will ensure that your right to receive a fair settlement is not prejudiced by a seemingly harmless mistake.