Being involved in a car accident is a terrifying, life-altering event. Beyond the immediate shock and injury, you’re faced with police reports, medical bills, and insurance companies. The decisions you make in the hours and days immediately following a crash can either protect your legal rights and financial future or severely limit your ability to recover fair compensation.
Based on years of experience representing injured clients, the team at Porrazzo Rawlings Accident & Injury Law, formerly known as William Rawlings & Associates, has identified five major pitfalls that often cost victims dearly. This guide outlines these common mistakes and highlights why partnering with a proven car accident lawyer Herriman UT is the single most important step you can take for your recovery.
1. Delaying or Skipping Medical Attention
The adrenaline rush after a collision can mask serious injuries. Many victims, feeling “fine” or just shaken up, decide to skip an Emergency Room visit or put off seeing a doctor. This is a critical error.
First, your health is paramount. Conditions like whiplash, concussions, and internal injuries may not present clear symptoms for hours or even days. Second, and equally important for your claim, is documentation. Insurance companies thrive on “gaps in treatment.” If you wait days or weeks to seek medical care, the opposing side will argue that your injuries were not serious or were caused by something that happened after the crash.
Seeing a doctor immediately creates an official, documented link between the accident and your injuries. By securing this early medical evidence, you lay the foundation for a strong case. When you choose an attorney for accident claim from Porrazzo Rawlings Accident & Injury Law, we make sure this crucial evidence is properly collected and preserved right from the start.
2. Giving a Recorded Statement to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company
Within days, or even hours, of your accident, you will likely receive a call from the other driver’s insurance adjuster. They may sound friendly, concerned, and eager to help. Be warned: their primary goal is to minimize the payout, not to help you. The adjuster is trained to ask questions designed to trick you into saying something that can be used against your claim later—like minimizing your pain, admitting partial fault, or agreeing to an incomplete list of injuries.
You are under no legal obligation to give a recorded statement to the opposing insurance company. In fact, it is one of the most damaging things you can do to your case.
The wisest action is to politely decline and tell them all future communication must go through your legal representative. This is where Porrazzo Rawlings Accident & Injury Law, your committed Utah car accident attorney, steps in. We handle all communication immediately, protecting you from manipulative tactics and ensuring you don’t face insurance alone. This move alone can significantly increase the value of your potential settlement. For those in need of assistance, contacting a reliable car accident lawyer Herriman UT is key to managing these early conversations effectively.
3. Accepting the First Settlement Offer
Insurance companies often make a lowball offer shortly after a crash, especially before the full extent of your injuries is known. They do this hoping you are stressed, short on cash, and unfamiliar with the true value of your claim. Accepting this quick money is almost always a costly mistake, as it requires you to sign a waiver forfeiting your right to any additional compensation, even if your injuries worsen or new ones appear.
Never sign anything or agree to a settlement without first reviewing it with your legal counsel. The initial offer rarely accounts for all your expenses, including long-term care, future lost wages, or pain and suffering. Determining the full and fair value of a claim requires detailed investigation, expert consultation, and a comprehensive calculation of all your damages.
Porrazzo Rawlings Accident & Injury Law prides itself on its trial-ready approach. We do not just settle cases; we prepare for trial from day one. This proactive stance signals to the insurance company that we are serious and willing to litigate if a fair settlement is not offered. Our team of Utah accident attorneys won’t let you leave money on the table.
4. Failing to Collect and Preserve Evidence at the Scene
The accident scene holds evidence that disappears quickly. If your injuries permit, you must collect information at the scene. This includes taking photos of both vehicles, the license plates, the debris, skid marks, road conditions, and any relevant traffic signs. Get contact information from witnesses.
Many victims fail to continue collecting evidence after they leave the scene. This includes not keeping a detailed “pain journal” or not retaining all medical bills, receipts for related expenses (like transportation to appointments), and records of lost time from work. This failure to document the crash’s financial and emotional toll allows the defense to argue your damages are not as severe as claimed.
This is where the resources of Porrazzo Rawlings Accident & Injury Law become invaluable. We know exactly what evidence is needed and how to legally secure it. Our accident investigation team moves quickly to preserve time-sensitive evidence like black box data and surveillance video. When you have good accident attorneys on your side, you leverage their investigative resources and years of experience building solid, evidence-backed claims.
5. Trying to Handle the Claim Completely Alone
The biggest mistake is believing you can effectively take on a powerful insurance corporation by yourself. Insurance companies have vast resources, adjusters, and lawyers whose job is to pay you as little as possible. They can prolong the process, deny responsibility, and pressure you into a quick, insufficient settlement. Dealing with this on your own while recovering from injuries only adds stress and can lead you to overlook significant factors like hidden costs and long-term care needs.
In 2024, preliminary data showed 281 road fatalities in Utah, according to the Utah Department of Transportation and Utah Department of Public Safety. When the consequences are this serious, you deserve a legal team that treats your case with the gravity it requires. Our dedicated injury attorney Utah team works tirelessly to maximize your compensation and ensure you receive justice.
We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we secure compensation for you. This allows anyone, regardless of their financial situation, to access high-caliber legal representation from a top-tier car accident lawyer Herriman UT.
Don’t Face the Aftermath Alone
If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash, do not face the aftermath alone. Contact Porrazzo Rawlings Accident & Injury Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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We are ready to put our experience and trial-ready approach to work for you.