Top 5 Mistakes Drivers Make After a Car Accident (and How to Avoid Them)

Published December 31
By The Chaney Law Firm — Oklahoma Personal Injury Attorneys

A car wreck can shake you up in seconds. Your adrenaline spikes, your mind races, and it’s easy to make mistakes that later hurt your insurance claim or reduce your compensation.

The good news?
Most mistakes are totally avoidable if you know what to look out for.

Here are the top five mistakes drivers make after a car accident in Oklahoma — and how to protect yourself.

1. Admitting Fault (Even Accidentally)

Saying things like:

• “I’m so sorry.”

• “I didn’t see you.”

• “I should’ve stopped sooner.”

…may feel polite, but insurance companies treat these statements as admissions of fault.

Even if you think you may have caused the crash, you don’t know the full story yet.
There may be factors you didn’t see — speeding, distraction, illegal turns, or a driver who was already breaking the law.

👉 Be polite, but do NOT admit fault.
State only the facts you know.

2. Not Calling the Police

Many people skip calling the police if the damage “looks minor.”
Big mistake.

Without a police report, the insurance company can claim:

• The accident didn’t happen the way you said

• The injuries weren’t serious

• Their driver wasn’t at fault

A police report is your first layer of protection.

👉 Always call the police — every time, no matter how small the crash seems.

3. Refusing Medical Treatment or “Waiting to See”

After a crash, adrenaline masks pain.
You may feel “fine” — until the next morning when your neck or back locks up.

Insurance companies LOVE when people delay treatment.
They use it to argue your injuries aren’t related to the wreck.

👉 Get medical attention immediately — urgent care, ER, or your primary doctor.
Document everything.

4. Talking Too Much to the Insurance Adjuster

Insurance adjusters call fast — often within 24 hours — hoping you’ll say something they can use against you later.

Mistakes drivers make:

• Giving a recorded statement

• Discussing injuries before seeing a doctor

• Guessing details (“I think I was going 30…”)

Remember:
Adjusters are trained to twist your words.

👉 The safest answer is:
“You’ll need to speak with my attorney.”

Let your lawyer handle the insurance company — it costs you nothing upfront.

5. Accepting a Quick Lowball Settlement

Insurance companies often offer quick money to get you to sign away your rights before you know:

• The full cost of medical treatment

• Whether you’ll need physical therapy

• Whether injuries will worsen

• How much work time you’ll miss

• The true value of pain and suffering

Once you sign, you can’t go back — even if you need surgery later.

👉 Never accept the first settlement offer.
Talk to a lawyer first so you know what your case is actually worth.

Protect Yourself — Avoid These Mistakes From the Start

You don’t have to deal with insurance companies, paperwork, medical bills, and fault arguments alone.
At The Chaney Law Firm, we help Oklahomans avoid these pitfalls and fight for every dollar they’re owed.

If you’ve been in a car accident, the biggest mistake you could make now is waiting too long to get help.

📞Call The Chaney Law Firm today for a free consultation.