Costly Mistakes to Avoid After a Car Accident in Tennessee
After a car accident, what you do in the first few hours and days can have a lasting impact on your health, your insurance claim, and your legal rights. Many drivers make avoidable errors that lead to denied claims, unpaid medical bills, or reduced compensation. Whether the crash caused minor property damage or resulted in serious injuries, knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing the correct steps to take.
In this blog, we cover the key mistakes to avoid after a car accident in Tennessee and explain how working with an experienced Memphis car accident lawyer can help protect your rights and improve your chances of full financial recovery.
Mistake #1: Failing to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
One of the most common mistakes to avoid after a car accident is delaying or skipping medical treatment. This error can reduce your chances of receiving fair compensation and may harm your health.
Delayed Symptoms Can Signal Serious Injury
Not all injuries from a car crash are visible right away. Soft tissue damage, concussions, and internal injuries often have delayed symptoms. Without a medical professional’s evaluation, these injuries may go untreated. This can worsen your condition and limit your ability to link the injury to the accident during the claims process.
Insurance Companies Use Gaps in Treatment Against You
Insurance companies often minimize payouts by pointing to gaps between the accident and medical care. If you wait too long to seek treatment, the driver’s insurance company may argue that your injuries are unrelated. This can hurt your accident claim and reduce your financial recovery.
Medical Records Are Crucial Evidence
Accurate and timely medical records are key to proving the full extent of your injuries. These records support your legal claim and show the impact on your life, including medical bills, lost income, and future care needs. Without them, it becomes harder to recover proper compensation.
Seek Treatment Even After Minor Accidents
Do not assume you are fine after a car crash. Even minor accidents can cause injuries. Seeking immediate medical attention helps protect your health and your legal rights. Always follow up with a doctor and keep detailed records of all visits and treatments.
Mistake #2: Admitting Fault at the Accident Scene
Another critical mistake to avoid after a car accident is admitting fault, even if you believe you may be partially responsible. Your words at the accident scene can carry serious legal consequences.
What You Say Can Affect Your Legal Claim
Statements like “I’m sorry” or “It was my fault” can be used against you later. These phrases may seem polite, but they can be interpreted as an admission of liability. Insurance companies and the other party’s attorney may use them to deny or reduce your accident claim.
Tennessee Follows Modified Comparative Fault
Under Tennessee law (Tenn. Code § 20-1-119), if you are found 50 percent or more at fault, you cannot recover compensation. Even if your share of fault is less, your financial recovery is reduced by that percentage. Admitting fault without knowing all the facts puts your case at risk.
Let the Evidence Speak for Itself
Let the police officer, the official police report, and witness statements document what happened. Avoid guessing about how the accident occurred. Focus on providing accurate contact information and insurance details to the police and the other driver.
Stay Calm and Stick to the Facts
At the accident scene, stay calm and avoid discussing who caused the crash. Provide the required information and seek medical attention. Leave any discussion about fault to your car accident attorney once the facts are reviewed.
Mistake #3: Speaking to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company Without a Lawyer
Talking to the other driver’s insurance company too soon and without legal counsel is a mistake that can weaken your claim.
Insurance Companies Protect Their Own Interests
The other driver’s insurance company does not work for you. Their goal is to limit their payout and protect their client. They may pressure you to settle quickly or give a recorded statement that could be used against you.
Recorded Statements Can Hurt Your Case
Adjusters are trained to ask questions that may lead you to downplay your injuries or accept blame. A recorded statement can be taken out of context and used to challenge your accident claim later. Even small inconsistencies can negatively impact your case.
Early Settlements Often Mean Less Compensation
Insurance companies may offer quick settlements before the full extent of your medical bills, lost wages, or injuries is known. Accepting this offer without legal advice often results in less compensation than you deserve. Once you accept, you usually cannot reopen the claim.
Talk to a Car Accident Attorney First
Always speak with a car accident lawyer before dealing with the other driver’s insurance company. An experienced attorney will protect your legal rights, guide you through the claims process, and help you pursue fair compensation. A free consultation can help you avoid serious legal consequences.
Mistake #4: Not Calling Police or Failing to Get an Official Police Report
Failing to involve law enforcement after a car accident is a mistake that can damage your legal claim and reduce your chances of fair compensation.
Tennessee Law Requires Reporting Certain Accidents
Under Tennessee law (Tenn. Code § 55-10-106), drivers must report accidents involving injury, death, or property damage over $1,500. Failing to report may lead to penalties and weaken your position in a personal injury case.
A Police Report Documents Key Details
An official police report includes the time and location of the crash, names and insurance information for all drivers, witness statements, and the officer’s observations. This document is important evidence for your insurance claim and legal case.
Without a Report, Proving Fault Becomes Harder
If there is no police report, it becomes more difficult to prove what happened. The other party may change their story, and your ability to recover compensation may suffer. Without neutral documentation, your claim rests on conflicting accounts.
Call the Police Even After Minor Accidents
Always call the police, even if the damage seems small or no one appears injured. Some injuries show delayed symptoms, and what looks like minor vehicle damage may be more serious. Getting a report protects your legal rights and helps support your claim.
Contact an Experienced Memphis Car Accident Lawyer ASAP!
If you’ve been involved in a car accident and want to avoid costly mistakes, contact our team at Mogy Law Firm. Our experienced Memphis car accident lawyers are here to protect your rights, handle the insurance companies, and help you pursue the full compensation you deserve.
Contact us at (414) 334-5472 for a free claim review today!
