Posted on Saturday, September 13th, 2025 at 4:38 am
Been in a car accident in Utah?
Hoping to walk away with absolutely nothing—no compensation, no medical coverage, no accountability?
Good news. We’ve put together the ultimate guide to sabotaging your own claim.
If your goal is to lose out on your settlement, ruin your recovery, and give insurance companies exactly what they want… just follow these simple steps:
1. Skip the Doctor—You’ll Probably Be Fine
If you want to guarantee the insurance company claims you weren’t hurt, the best move is to never see a doctor. Bonus points if you say, “I’m fine” at the scene, even if your neck feels like it got hit by a dump truck.
2. Apologize at the Scene (and Everywhere Else)
Even if the other driver ran a red light while texting and eating a burger, go ahead and say “Sorry, it was probably my fault.” That’ll make the insurance company’s job so much easier.
3. Don’t Call the Police at the Scene
Why involve law enforcement when you can just exchange phone numbers and hope for the best? Without a police report, there’s no official record of the accident—no statement of who was involved or who was likely at fault. It’s the perfect way to let the other driver change their story later—and leave your claim dead in the water.
4. Speak Freely to the Insurance Adjuster—Tell Them Everything
Why let a lawyer handle the details when you can just hand the insurance company everything they need to deny your claim? Pro tip: don’t record the call, but let them record you.
5. Post That Ski Trip to Instagram
You may be in physical therapy three times a week, but that photo of you smiling at Snowbird will do wonders for the defense. “Clearly not injured,” they’ll say. And thanks to your feed, they’ll have proof.
6. Ignore Utah’s No-Fault (PIP) Rules
Don’t bother learning how Personal Injury Protection (PIP) works in Utah. Sure, it could cover your first $3,000 in medical expenses regardless of fault—but why make things easier on yourself?
7. Wait Until the Very Last Day to File Anything
In Utah, you typically have four years to file a car accident lawsuit. But why not let that clock tick down while evidence disappears and memories fade?
8. Accept the First Offer—They Seem Nice Enough
If the insurance company offers a quick check, you should definitely take it. Don’t worry about long-term medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering. What could possibly go wrong?
9. Throw Out Your Receipts and Don’t Track Anything
Lost work? Paid out of pocket for physical therapy? Just wing it. After all, it’s not like courts or insurers need evidence of your damages, right?
10. Definitely Don’t Talk to a Utah Car Accident Attorney
Lawyers just complicate things. If you want to go it alone, ignore every offer for a free consultation. That way, you’ll never know how much your case was actually worth.
Final Thoughts
Of course, if you’re actually trying to recover from a car accident and want to get the compensation you deserve—you’ll want to do the opposite of everything on this list.
Here’s what you should do instead:
- Get prompt medical attention – and learn why medical records matter in a car accident claim.
- Avoid speaking to insurers without legal advice – read our guide on how to deal with insurance adjusters after a Utah accident.
- Understand Utah’s no-fault (PIP) and comparative fault rules – we break it down in How Utah’s No-Fault Insurance Works After a Car Accident.
- Contact a skilled car accident attorney early – here’s when to hire a lawyer after a Utah crash.
Our team at London Harker Injury Law helps Utah accident victims avoid costly mistakes and build strong claims that lead to real compensation.
📞 Need real advice? Contact us now for a free consultation.
