Utah Car Accident Mistakes: Top 3 Types People Make in Their Utah Car Accident Cases

Experiencing a car accident in Utah can be overwhelming, especially when navigating insurance claims and medical treatments. Unfortunately, many people make mistakes that jeopardize their compensation. Avoiding these common errors ensures you get the care and settlement you deserve.

1. Failing to Seek Medical Care | Utah Car Accident Mistakes

Why It’s a Mistake:

Neglecting medical attention after an accident can harm your health and your claim. Insurance companies may argue that you weren’t injured if there’s no medical record of your treatment.

What to Do:

• Immediate Evaluation: Use Utah’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, which provides $3,000 for initial medical expenses like ambulance or ER visits.
• Follow-Up Care: Even if emergency care isn’t necessary, visit a clinic or doctor the next day to document any injuries.

2. Limited Medical Treatment Approach | Utah Car Accident Mistakes

Why It’s a Mistake:

Relying solely on chiropractic or physical therapy treatment may not provide enough documentation for insurance adjusters. A narrow treatment plan can devalue your claim.

What to Do:

• Diverse Care Providers: Combine evaluations from medical doctors with prescribed physical therapy or chiropractic care to provide a comprehensive view of your injuries.
• Balanced Documentation: Ensure all treatment is timely and well-documented for adjusters to assess.

3. Overtreatment Concerns | Utah Car Accident Mistakes

Why It’s a Mistake:

Continuing care that doesn’t result in improvement can be seen as overtreatment, raising red flags with insurance adjusters and potentially disputing the necessity of your medical bills.

What to Do:

• Reassess Treatment: If therapy or chiropractic care isn’t effective, transition to specialized care like pain management or alternative rehabilitation.
• Follow Progression: Work with your doctor to adjust your treatment plan based on your recovery.

4. Improper Course of Treatment | Utah Car Accident Mistakes

Why It’s a Mistake:

Skipping necessary steps in your medical treatment or refusing recommended care can hurt your case. Insurance companies scrutinize the treatment timeline to validate claims.

What to Do:

• Progressive Care: Start with conservative treatments and escalate to more intensive options as necessary.
• Informed Decisions: Consult your doctor and attorney before declining procedures like surgery to ensure your treatment trajectory supports your claim.

The Importance of Comprehensive Medical Documentation

Why It Matters:

Proper medical documentation is critical for securing fair compensation. Insurance companies evaluate records to determine the validity of your claim. Missing or incomplete records can significantly devalue your case.

Case Example: The Tale of Two Passengers

Two passengers involved in the same rear-end collision had starkly different outcomes:

1. Passenger A: Worked with an experienced attorney, followed a comprehensive treatment plan, and documented everything.
2. Passenger B: Did not seek proper representation or treatment, leading to a much lower settlement.

💡 Lesson: Representation and thorough documentation make all the difference in compensation outcomes.