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According to officials at Car Crash Pain, accident victims are prone to make costly mistakes following a motor vehicle collision. Considering inclement weather accounts for 24 percent of all automobile accidents in Utah and the Utah Highway Patrol reporting 376 crashes during a recent storm, Car Crash Pain released the top five most expensive mistakes individuals make after being in a car crash.
The source stated ignoring or minimizing injuries is the No. 1 mistake people make after an accident. It could possibly take several months for injuries to become fully evident and delaying medical treatment when pains are felt should also be avoided. Pain that lasts more than three months has a 90 percent chance of becoming permanent if there isn't immediate and effective treatment.
The No. 2 mistake drivers make after auto accidents is believing the car insurance company is on their side.
"One of the biggest misconceptions is that the car insurance company is looking out for your best interests," said Dr. Dan LaFontaine at Car Crash Pain. "Their goal is to get you to settle your accident claim as quickly as possible, with the lowest possible settlement. Insurance companies are part of a multi-trillion dollar industry with a business model based on collecting the most in premiums, while paying the least in benefits."
Also, accepting a settlement without fully understanding individual rights can be costly. According to Car Crash Pain, negotiating insurance settlements after a car crash can be extremely complex and having advisement from a a lawyer will prove to be beneficial in the end.
"There's a lot more to it than just getting your car fixed. Without professional legal guidance, you could be placed at a huge disadvantage by not utilizing the full range of services needed for recovery," LaFontaine said. "Insurance companies have lawyers that fight the general public for them; accident victims are wise to do the same. The sooner you have an attorney on your side the higher the success rate."
Choosing the wrong auto body repair shop is also a common mistake made my accident victims. Repairs usually have a wide range of cost and drivers take the more affordable route, which can cause more problems in the long run.
The last mistake the source named was becoming overwhelmed with paperwork and deadlines. Accidents might result in a series of paperwork that has to be signed and returned by a specific date, which could stress the victim, but making sure paperwork is filled out and turned in on time could result in a smoother process.
Teen driving fatalities increased significantly in the first six months of 2011 among 16- and 17-year old drivers by 11 percent, which might encourage younger drivers to be more cautious when on the road.
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