What to Do After a Car Accident: 7 Mistakes That Could Cost You Thousands

You're sitting in your car, heart racing, trying to process what just happened. Whether it's a fender bender on Atlanta's I-285 or a serious collision on the Los Angeles 405, the moments after a car accident are critical. The decisions you make: or fail to make: in those first minutes and hours can mean the difference between full compensation, walking away with thousands of dollars less than you deserve or even nothing.

After handling hundreds of car accident cases across Georgia and California, we've seen how the same preventable mistakes derail otherwise strong claims. Here are the seven most costly errors people make after a crash, and how to avoid them.

Mistake #1: Not Calling the Police

Even if the accident seems minor, failing to call the police is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. Many drivers exchange information and shake hands, thinking they're avoiding hassle. But without an official police report, you're left with no independent documentation of what happened.

A police report provides crucial evidence: witness statements, the investigating officer's observations, diagrams of the scene, and preliminary fault determinations. Insurance companies take police reports seriously. Without one, proving who caused the accident becomes your word against theirs.

In Georgia, you're legally required to report accidents involving injury, death, or property damage exceeding $500. California law requires reporting accidents with injury or death, and property damage over $1,000. But even when it's not legally required, getting a police report protects your claim.

What to do instead: Call 911 or the local police department immediately after any accident, regardless of severity. Wait for officers to arrive and document the scene. Request a copy of the police report number before leaving.

Mistake #2: Admitting Fault at the Scene

"I'm so sorry, I didn't see you."

"This is completely my fault."

"I wasn't paying attention."

These seemingly innocent statements can destroy your claim. Insurance adjusters will use any admission against you, even if you were genuinely not at fault. Adrenaline and shock after an accident can cloud your judgment about what actually happened.

What to do instead: Check on everyone's safety, but don't discuss fault or speculate about what happened. Stick to facts when talking to police: "The light was green when I entered the intersection" or "I was stopped when the other vehicle hit me from behind." Save detailed discussions for your attorney.

Mistake #3: Delaying Medical Treatment

This is perhaps the most financially devastating mistake. Adrenaline masks injuries. What feels like minor stiffness can turn into a herniated disc. A slight headache might be a concussion or traumatic brain injury. Internal bleeding, whiplash, and soft tissue injuries often don't present symptoms for hours or even days.

When you delay treatment, insurance companies argue your injuries aren't serious or weren't caused by the accident. We've seen claims initially denied because clients waited a week to see a doctor, giving insurers the opening to claim injuries resulted from other activities.

One of our Los Angeles clients experienced this firsthand. After a rear-end collision, she felt sore but functional. A week later, severe neck pain forced her to the emergency room, where doctors diagnosed a herniated disc. The insurance company fought the claim, arguing the delay proved the injury wasn't accident-related.

What to do instead: Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine. Go to the emergency room or an urgent care facility the same day. Document every symptom, no matter how minor. Follow all recommended treatment, tests, and specialist referrals.

Mistake #4: Failing to Gather Evidence at the Scene

Your phone is the most powerful evidence-gathering tool you have. Failing to use it properly means losing proof that can make or break your claim.

Without photos and videos, cases become "he said, she said" disputes. We represented an Atlanta client whose claim was assigned 50/50 fault because she didn't photograph the final positions of the vehicles or the skid marks that would have proved the other driver crossed the center line.

What to do instead: If you're physically able, document everything:

• All vehicle damage from multiple angles

• The entire accident scene, including traffic signs and signals

• Skid marks, debris, and road conditions

• Visible injuries

• License plates of all vehicles involved

Get contact information from witnesses. Their independent accounts can be invaluable. Take screenshots of weather conditions or traffic apps if they're relevant.

Mistake #5: Leaving the Scene Too Soon

Departing before completing necessary procedures isn't just a mistake: it's a crime. In both Georgia and California, leaving the scene of an accident can result in hit-and-run charges, even if you weren't at fault for the collision itself.

Beyond legal consequences, leaving early means you might miss gathering critical information or speaking with witnesses before they depart.

What to do instead: Stay at the scene until you've:

• Checked on all parties involved and called 911 if anyone is injured

• Called the police and waited for them to arrive

• Exchanged information with other drivers

• Documented the scene

• Obtained the police report number

Only leave once law enforcement gives you permission or it's clear your presence is no longer required.

Mistake #6: Not Exchanging Complete Information

Trading phone numbers and driving off seems sufficient for a minor accident. It's not. Incomplete information creates gaps that can prevent you from filing a proper claim.

You need comprehensive details to pursue compensation. Missing information means you might not be able to identify the at-fault party's insurance company or locate witnesses who could support your version of events.

What to do instead: Collect from all involved parties:

• Full legal names and addresses

• Driver's license numbers

• Insurance company names and policy numbers

• License plate numbers and vehicle descriptions

• Phone numbers and email addresses

Also gather witness information: names, phone numbers, and brief statements about what they saw. Don't assume injuries and damage are apparent immediately: whiplash and frame damage often reveal themselves later.

Mistake #7: Ignoring Your Doctor's Treatment Plan

You saw a doctor immediately and started treatment. Good. But then you skip physical therapy appointments because you're busy. You don't get the MRI your doctor recommended. You stop taking prescribed medications because you feel better.

Insurance companies view non-compliance as evidence you're not seriously injured. If you're not following your doctor's orders, how hurt can you really be? This gives them ammunition to reduce or deny your claim.

We've seen strong cases weakened because clients didn't attend follow-up appointments or delayed recommended diagnostic tests, making it easier for insurers to argue injuries were unrelated to the accident.

What to do instead: Follow every aspect of your treatment plan:

• Attend all appointments, including physical therapy and specialist consultations

• Take medications as prescribed

• Get recommended diagnostic tests like X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans

• Keep a journal of symptoms and how they affect your daily life

• Save all medical bills, receipts, and documentation

If treatment isn't helping or you have concerns about your doctor's recommendations, discuss it with your physician and your attorney: but don't simply stop treatment on your own.

Getting the Compensation You Deserve

The aftermath of a car accident is overwhelming. You're dealing with injuries, vehicle damage, insurance companies, and potentially lost income. The last thing you need is to make mistakes that compromise your financial recovery.

At Allen Law, we've helped car accident victims throughout Atlanta and Los Angeles navigate these complex claims for years. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don't pay unless we recover compensation for you. We offer personalized consultations to review your specific situation and explain your legal options.

If you've been in an accident, don't face the insurance companies alone. The decisions you make now will impact your financial future. Contact us to discuss your case and learn how we can help you avoid costly mistakes while securing the maximum compensation available under the law.