10 Costly Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Car Accident Claim in Ohio and How to Avoid Them

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Ohio, you deserve full and fair compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. However, insurance companies will do everything they can to pay you less than what your claim is worth—and even a simple mistake on your part can cost you thousands.

At SELPH LAW, we’ve seen accident victims make avoidable errors that weaken their cases, delay their settlements, or even cause their claims to be denied. Don’t let that happen to you.

If you were in a car accident, call (614)-453-0971 now for a FREE personal injury case review before making any costly mistakes.

1. Talking to the Insurance Company Without a Lawyer
After an accident, insurance adjusters will reach out to you quickly. They may seem friendly and helpful, but their goal is to protect the company’s bottom line—not to help you.

What to do instead: Direct all communication to your personal injury attorney. They will handle negotiations to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

2. Accepting the First Settlement Offer
Insurance companies often offer quick, lowball settlements in hopes that you’ll accept before realizing the true value of your claim. Once you sign, you can’t go back and ask for more money.

What to do instead: Never accept an offer without consulting a lawyer first. Your attorney will calculate the full value of your claim, including long-term medical costs and lost income.

3. Not Seeking Medical Attention Immediately
Even if you feel “fine” after a car accident, some injuries take days or weeks to appear—including whiplash, internal bleeding, and concussions. Waiting too long to see a doctor can damage your case because the insurance company may argue that you weren’t really injured.

What to do instead: Seek medical attention immediately after an accident, even for minor discomfort. Follow all doctor recommendations and keep records of your treatments.

4. Posting About Your Accident on Social Media
Insurance companies monitor social media accounts looking for ways to minimize claims. A simple post like “Feeling better today!” could be used as evidence against you.

What to do instead: Avoid discussing your accident, injuries, or settlement on social media until your case is resolved.

5. Failing to Gather Enough Evidence
Strong evidence is key to proving fault and securing maximum compensation. Without it, your claim becomes one person’s word against another’s.

What to do instead:

Take photos and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and visible injuries.

Collect witness statements and contact information.

Obtain a copy of the police report.

6. Delaying Legal Action (Ohio’s Statute of Limitations)
In Ohio, you have only two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury claim. After that, your case will be dismissed, and you won’t be able to recover compensation.

What to do instead: Don’t wait—contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to start building your case.

7. Giving a Recorded Statement to the Insurance Adjuster
Insurance adjusters may ask you to give a recorded statement about the accident. However, they are trained to ask questions in a way that makes you say something that could harm your case.

What to do instead: Politely refuse to give a recorded statement and let your lawyer handle communication with the insurance company.

8. Not Following Doctor’s Orders
Skipping doctor’s appointments, stopping treatment early, or failing to follow medical advice can hurt your claim because the insurance company will argue that you aren’t really injured.

What to do instead: Attend all medical appointments, follow prescribed treatments, and keep documentation of your recovery.

9. Settling Before Knowing the Full Extent of Your Injuries
Some injuries require ongoing treatment, surgeries, or long-term rehabilitation. If you settle too soon, you may not receive compensation for future medical costs.

What to do instead: Wait until your doctor gives a final prognosis before agreeing to any settlement offer.

10. Trying to Handle the Claim Without a Lawyer
Insurance companies have experienced attorneys and adjusters working against you. If you don’t have a lawyer, you’re at a major disadvantage.

What to do instead: Hiring a skilled personal injury attorney levels the playing field and significantly increases the chances of securing a higher settlement.

Why Choose SELPH LAW for Your Ohio Car Accident Case?
At SELPH LAW, we have helped countless car accident victims in Columbus and throughout Ohio recover maximum compensation. We provide:

Aggressive Legal Representation: We fight insurance companies so you don’t have to.

Extensive Experience in Ohio Personal Injury Law: We know what it takes to win high-value cases.

No Upfront Fees: You pay nothing unless we win your case.

24/7 Free Personal Injury Case Reviews: Call us anytime for expert legal advice.

Get a Free Case Review – Call SELPH LAW Today
Avoid these costly mistakes and protect your financial future. Call (614)-453-0971 today for a FREE consultation and let us fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.

10 Costly Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Car Accident Claim in Ohio and How to Avoid Them

10 Costly Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Car Accident Claim in Ohio and How to Avoid Them

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