So last month I screwed up big time with my injury claim paperwork. Figured I’d share the whole mess since you guys always ask about this stuff. Totally botched it at first, felt like banging my head against a wall.
Where I Started Screwing Up
Right after my accident, I was hurting bad and confused. Insurance people kept calling me, acting all nice and asking questions. Thought they were helping, right? So I just started blabbing away about what happened. Signed papers they mailed me without really reading the small print. Stupid move.
First huge mistake:
- Talking way too much to insurance adjusters
- Signing everything they sent without a lawyer looking at it
- Not writing down names, dates, or what was said
The Mess Got Worse
Weeks go by and nothing happens. Start calling them every day, getting bounced around departments. Then the letters show up – claim denied. Said my story didn’t match their “investigation.” Panic mode! Found out later:
- Those friendly calls? They recorded every word I said
- Used random stuff I mentioned against me
- Never told me they were recording, naturally
Couldn’t remember half of what I’d said to them.
Finally Getting Smarter
Got real advice from a buddy who went through this. Took these steps:
- Shut my trap – stopped all calls with insurance immediately
- Got professional help – hired someone who knows this fight
- Documented absolutely everything – made a folder with times, dates, names, paper trails
Even wrote down every doctor visit and med change like my life depended on it. Made them look at all receipts too – parking fees, Uber rides to appointments, the whole nine yards.
Night and day difference. Once we had our stuff together, sent one solid package instead of dribs and drabs? Check cleared in three weeks. Before that? Months of pure agony and radio silence.