Being injured in a car wreck that is not your fault can be traumatizing, but how you deal with the days and weeks that follow can play a big role in the settlement that you receive from the other driver's insurance company. You should focus on your recovery, but you also want to avoid making mistakes that can severely reduce the amount of the settlement that you are offered. Some common mistakes people make after being hurt in a car accident include:

Failure to Seek Adequate Medical Care

After a car accident, it is essential to see a doctor for medical care. If you have moderate to severe injuries, you will most likely be transported from the scene to a local hospital, but even if you don't have visible injuries at the time of the accident you should make an appointment with your primary care physician as soon as possible. Many people are in shock immediately after a car accident, which can mask some of the injuries that occurred. But a lot of people notice the injuries in the first few days after an accident.

It is very important to follow your doctor's treatment plans carefully, and make sure you show up to all follow up appointments. Your medical records for treatment after the injury will be examined when settling the case, so you want the records to clearly show the severity of your injury, the length of time it took to recover, and the total cost of medical care.

Speaking Freely with the Other Driver's Insurance Company

There is a good chance that you will be contacted by the other driver's insurance company shortly after the accident and be asked to give a recorded verbal statement or a written account of the events that led up to the accident. While the representative from the insurance company may be very cordial, it is in your best interest to deny their request. Anything you say can be twisted around or used against you, which can result in a lower settlement amount.

Not Hiring an Attorney

One of the biggest mistakes people make after being injured in a car accident is not hiring an attorney. Many people believe that they cannot afford an attorney, but many car accident attorneys work on a contingency basis so you do not have to pay anything out of pocket. Your attorney will communicate with the other driver's insurance company on your behalf, gather evidence to help strengthen your claim, and negotiate the highest settlement amount possible.