What Happens if I Exaggerate or Downplay My Injuries After a Crash?

After a car crash, honesty is the best approach to receiving fair compensation. Exaggerating or downplaying your injuries to first responders, medical professionals, insurance companies, or your Green Bay car accident attorney can have a major impact on your case, resulting in a low settlement or claim denial.

Learn how to engage honestly and transparently with everyone involved in your case while ensuring your right to the maximum compensation possible.

The Importance of Honesty with Various Parties

After a car accident, communicate honestly with everyone involved. Sticking to the facts ensures a fair and accurate assessment of your claim and builds the trust and credibility needed for a successful resolution.

Below are some tips on how to effectively communicate with first responders, medical professionals, and insurance companies following your car accident:

• Provide a clear and honest statement to police. Provide an accurate account of the accident and your injuries to the police at the scene. Avoid exaggerating or minimizing details; this ensures a reliable police report for insurance and legal procedures.

• Exchange insurance information with the other driver. Share your contact and insurance details with the other driver. Keep the conversation focused on factual information without discussing fault or responsibility.

• Share symptoms with emergency paramedics. Tell emergency responders about your specific symptoms. Their treatment decisions are based on what you describe, so it’s important to communicate any pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, or other injuries you are experiencing. This ensures you receive the appropriate treatment at the accident scene.

• Communicate honestly with healthcare providers. During your doctor’s visit, be honest about your symptoms. This assists them in administering the correct treatment and establishes that your injuries are a result of the accident rather than pre-existing conditions. Accurate information not only prevents treatment complications but also reinforces the validity of your claim.

• Give factual and honest answers to insurers. When communicating with insurance adjusters, stick to the facts and avoid speculation about your condition. Insurance adjusters specialize in spotting inconsistencies in injury claims—any discrepancy can trigger closer scrutiny or potential denial of your claim.

• Share all the facts with your lawyer. Provide your attorney with complete and accurate information, including the specifics of the crash and the extent of your injuries. Withholding details or overstating the severity of your injuries can limit their ability to represent you effectively.

How Exaggerating Your Injuries Affects Your Accident Claim

Misrepresenting injuries in an accident claim, whether by exaggeration or minimization, can affect the result of your case. Overstating injuries might lead to perceptions of dishonesty, implying that you are pursuing more compensation than is warranted.

This can trigger suspicions among insurance companies and legal representatives, causing them to question the authenticity of your entire claim. If they believe you are exaggerating your injuries for financial benefit, it could compromise your credibility and put the success of your claim at risk.

For instance, suppose you include severe back pain in your settlement claim. If the insurance company discovers social media posts showing you lifting heavy objects shortly after the accident, this discrepancy might make them view your claim as overstated. It could result in the insurer offering you less compensation or denying your claim.

Why Downplaying Can Result in Lower Compensation

Downplaying your injuries in a claim can also undermine your chances of receiving fair compensation after an accident. Understating the extent of your injuries may lead to a settlement that is less than what you are rightfully entitled to.

Insurance companies evaluate claims based on the reported severity of the injuries. If you underreport your injuries, they may offer a smaller payout that does not accurately reflect the actual damages and medical expenses incurred.

For instance, if you downplay a whiplash injury as just a minor neck strain, the insurance company might offer a minimal settlement. Later, if the injury proves to be more serious, requiring extensive physical therapy or surgery, the initial compensation may not cover these costs.

Get Legal Help After a Car Accident

After a car crash, focusing on the facts is key to a fair assessment of your case, protecting your interests, and upholding the legal process’s integrity. Our car accident attorneys at Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers can defend your rights and assist you in delivering accurate information to all relevant parties. 

Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your case.