If you’ve been in a car crash anywhere in Indianapolis, what you do in the first 48 hours matters more than most people realize. A crash is chaotic. You’re shaken up, trying to get home, trying to get back to work, and hoping the soreness goes away on its own. In that window, it’s easy to make decisions that insurance companies later use against you.
At the Marc Lopez Law Firm, we’ve seen the same mistakes come up again and again. None of them mean your case is over, but each one makes the road harder than it needs to be. Here are the three most common errors people make after a car crash, and how to avoid them.
Mistake #1: Not Calling the Police
Whether the crash happens in Indianapolis proper or a surrounding area, IMPD, the sheriff, Beech Grove, Speedway, it’s almost always a good idea to call the police.
A police report is not magic. We take cases without them. But having an official report makes a real difference.
Insurance companies love to argue this point in front of judges and juries: “If the crash was so serious, why didn’t they even call the police?” A police report shuts that argument down. It creates a record. It shows you weren’t hiding anything. It documents the scene before stories change.
If you didn’t call the police because you thought the crash was minor, that’s understandable. It’s not the end of the world. But if you have the chance, get that report. It makes everything easier later.
Mistake #2: Posting on Social Media
This one is bigger than most people think.
Insurance companies regularly look at social media. Even if your profile is set to private, they can access posts through subpoenas once a case is filed. We’ve seen it happen many times.
A single post can cause real damage. Something as simple as “Minor fender bender, glad I’m okay” can be taken out of context and twisted into an argument that you weren’t really hurt. Suddenly, they’re asking why you went to the doctor if it was “minor.”
Pain doesn’t always show up immediately. Soft tissue injuries, back pain, and neck pain often develop days later. Social media posts don’t reflect that reality, but insurance companies will pretend they do.
If you’ve been in a car crash, don’t post about it. Not photos. Not jokes. Not updates. It gives the insurance company less ammunition and protects the value of your case.
Mistake #3: Delaying Medical Treatment
This is the mistake insurance companies love the most.
Life doesn’t stop because you were in a crash. People go to work. They pick up kids. They hope the soreness fades. We see clients wait three, four, even five days before seeing a doctor.
Then the argument comes: “If you were really hurt, you would’ve gone right away.” They make that argument to judges, juries, and attorneys, over and over again.
If you’re hurt, get checked out. That can mean:
- Your primary care doctor
- Urgent care
- Even a message through your doctor’s online portal documenting the crash
Taking action is key. Early documentation protects both your health and your legal rights. Toughing it out doesn’t help you, and it doesn’t help your family.
What If You’ve Already Made One of These Mistakes?
Don’t panic. These issues are common, and they don’t automatically ruin a case. They just make it more challenging, and that’s where having the right legal team matters.
Your first priority after a car crash is your health. Your second priority should be protecting yourself from an insurance company that is not on your side. That mindset is consistent with how the Marc Lopez Law Firm approaches every case, clear-eyed, practical, and focused on results.
Talk to a Lawyer Before the Insurance Company Decides Your Case
Insurance companies are not your friend. Their job is to minimize payouts, and they start building their defense immediately after a crash.
If you’ve been injured in an Indianapolis car accident, the Marc Lopez Law Firm is here to help you understand your options and protect your rights. Even if you think you may have made a mistake, it may not be too late to get things back on track.
Call the Marc Lopez Law Firm at 463-283-7387
We’ll talk through your situation and help you decide the next steps.
