How Does Failing To Report A Car Incident To The Police Impact My Personal Injury Claim In California?
In California, especially after the pandemic, it’s become increasingly common for local police departments to not respond to traffic incidents on surface streets even when those involved suffer injuries. However, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is different. If you’re involved in a crash on a highway, always contact CHP. They will typically respond and create a thorough report.
Even if you’re on a surface street, it’s still a good idea to call the police. Even if they don’t write a report, having them present can help with the exchange of information names, insurance details, witness info which will be critical for your case later. If there’s no police report, that’s not the end of your claim, but it may make things more challenging.
How Can Social Media Posts Hurt My California Car Incident Injury Case?
Insurance companies are watching. Sometimes through direct surveillance, sometimes through deep dives into your social media history even posts you thought were deleted or private.
To protect your case, don’t post anything (photos, comments, or messages) that you wouldn’t want to be shown to a jury. Even casual posts that seem unrelated can be twisted or taken out of context to downplay your injuries.
Should I Speak To The At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Company After Being In A Los Angeles Car Wreck?
If you’re only seeking property damage compensation, like repairs or a rental car, it’s generally okay to deal directly with the at-fault driver’s insurer to get that resolved. But if you were injured, it’s a completely different story.
In that case, less is more. Anything you say to the other party’s insurance company can be used against you and it often is. The smarter move is to let an experienced personal injury attorney handle those conversations on your behalf.
Shawn Gozarkhah, a founding attorney of The Law Man Group, APC in California, has built a reputation for helping injured clients avoid costly missteps after serious car wrecks. With deep knowledge of how insurance companies operate and how small errors like posting on social media or signing the wrong forms can tank a claim, Shawn and his team have successfully guided countless clients back on track, even after they’ve made early mistakes.
If you've been in a car wreck, don’t gamble with your future contact us today before saying or signing anything.
How Can Signing A Medical Release Form Affect My Personal Injury Settlement In A California Car Wreck Case?
Medical release forms, such as HIPAA authorizations, give insurance companies broad access to your medical history, sometimes far beyond what’s relevant to your injury. If you sign one without guidance, they may use unrelated or private health information to question your injuries or minimize your claim. In a lawsuit setting, the defense can still request medical records through subpoena, which allows your attorney to control the scope and protect your privacy.
What Happens If I Try To Handle My Claim Without Legal Representation?
If you handle your claim without partnering with a reliable personal injury attorney, you are likely to make mistakes that inadvertently undermine your case and drastically reduce your compensation. Here are just a few common pitfalls:
- Signing a release too early before understanding the full extent of your injuries.
- Giving a recorded statement that later contradicts your memory.
- Handing over medical access that gives the insurer ammunition.
- Posting online content that gets used against you.
Insurance companies have teams of professionals working to protect their interests. You shouldn’t try to go up against them alone.
What’s The Most Common Mistake Car Incident Victims Make? How Does Making It Undermine Their Claim?
There are many mistakes that can ruin your car incident claim, but talking to the at-fault party’s insurance company is the number one misstep so many people make when bringing a personal injury claim. They’ll sound helpful and concerned, but their real goal is to gather statements they can later use against you.
Before speaking to any insurer, even if it’s just for “information,” speak to a personal injury attorney first. Know your rights and have an idea of the value of your case before saying a word to someone whose job is to pay you as little as possible.
Helping Clients Who Have Made Mistakes
The past is the past, and what’s done is done. We don’t dwell on what went wrong we focus on minimizing the damage and moving forward. Once a client who has started the process and made some fumbles hires us, our role is to step in and become a single, unified voice on their behalf.
We handle the communication, manage the legal strategy, and do everything we can to get your case back on track. But make no mistake: the longer you wait and the more you try to handle things alone, the harder that job becomes.
Still Have Questions? Ready To Get Started?
For more information on mistakes that can ruin your car incident claim, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (818) 699-0492 today.
Shawn Gozarkhah, a founding attorney of The Law Man Group, APC in California, has built a reputation for helping injured clients avoid costly missteps after serious car wrecks. With deep knowledge of how insurance companies operate and how small errors like posting on social media or signing the wrong forms can tank a claim, Shawn and his team have successfully guided countless clients back on track, even after they’ve made early mistakes.
If you've been in a car wreck, don’t gamble with your future contact us today before saying or signing anything.
