Getting into any kind of car accident can be a stressful, upsetting experience. If you have decided that you want to file a claim against the other person in the accident, that could seem like a straightforward process, but you might be surprised to learn about some of the things that could cause you to sabotage your own claim. Watch out for the following mistakes when seeking a settlement after your accident so that you can avoid them and get what you deserve.

Waiting Too Long

You may just not feel like taking any legal action while you are recovering from any injuries you sustained during your car accident. However, you may not be aware that you only have a certain window of time to do anything. Make sure you get in touch with a good lawyer so you know how long you can wait to file a claim.

Holding Back Information

You might think that some information is simply not relevant to what happened. You might not want to tell your lawyer where you were going or you may be too embarrassed to admit you were using your phone at the time of the accident, for instance.

However, not telling your attorney things can mean bad things for your case. If your lawyer doesn't have all the information, they can be blindsided by the other driver's representatives. This can mean a lower settlement for you, if not a flat out dismissal of your claims. It is vital that you share every detail with your attorney; they can best determine what is relevant and what has no bearing on the case.

Getting On the Phone with the Other Driver's Insurance Company

You might not think it's a big deal to take the call when the other driver's insurance carrier attempts to contact you. After all, you may be thinking they are calling you to offer a deal. However, unless you have sought settlements before, you may not know if the insurance company is trying to give you a lower settlement amount than you deserve.

Not only that, but the insurance company might not be offering you a settlement at all; they may simply be trying to convince you to make statements that might incriminate yourself or exonerate the other driver. To protect yourself, it is best to avoid all contact. If you need to speak with them, be sure your attorney is present.

Watch out for the above things when you're building a case against someone else after a car accident. Enlist a good car accident lawyer to help you go through the process and get the most fair settlement possible.

For more information, contact local law firms or visit websites like http://robertkanerlaw.com.