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(406) 315-3737Most people don’t plan on needing a personal injury lawyer. When someone is hurt in a crash, a fall, or by medical negligence, they instinctively try to handle things themselves—be cooperative, be reasonable, and keep life moving. Those instincts are good in ordinary life. But in a personal injury claim, they can cost you time, money, and credibility.
After writing recently about why timing matters in a legal case, it’s worth talking about the critical period before a lawyer gets involved. These early decisions often shape the entire claim. Not because people intend to hurt their case, but because they simply don’t know how insurance companies operate.
1. Talking to the Insurance Company Too Soon
After a car accident or injury, people often think, “I’ll just tell the truth.” So when the insurance adjuster calls, they pick up the phone.
What they don’t realize is that insurers are trained to gather statements that minimize the claim’s value. A harmless comment like “I’m okay,” “I didn’t see a doctor yet,” “I think it will get better” often becomes Exhibit A months later when the insurance company argues your injuries are minor or unrelated.
This is especially dangerous because delayed injuries are common. Whiplash, concussions, nerve injuries, and back problems often worsen over days or weeks. By the time you understand the seriousness of the problem, the insurer already has a recorded statement saying you were “fine.”
There is nothing dishonest about declining early statements. Speaking to an adjuster before getting advice from a Montana personal injury attorney is like giving the other side your playbook.
2. Posting on Social Media Without Thinking
Social media is the modern investigator’s dream. Adjusters and defense lawyers routinely review Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to find photos, tags, check-ins, or comments that contradict your injury claim—even if the post has nothing to do with the accident.
A single snapshot—smiling at a barbecue, holding your child, standing at an event—can be twisted into an argument that you’re exaggerating. Even private settings don’t prevent content from being discovered.
This isn’t about hiding your life. It’s about understanding that insurers view your life through the narrowest possible lens. Until a lawyer is protecting your interests, your social media footprint can become evidence against you.
3. Delaying or Avoiding Medical Care
Many people minimize their pain or hope symptoms will fade. They wait a few days to “see how it feels,” or they avoid going to the doctor because they don’t want to seem dramatic.
Insurance companies rely on that hesitation.
If there’s a gap between the injury and the first medical visit, insurers argue the injuries must not have been serious or that something else caused them. But in reality, delayed symptoms are entirely normal. Soft-tissue injuries, disc problems, and concussions often appear gradually.
Prompt medical care doesn’t just protect your health—it protects the connection between the crash and your injuries. When you speak to a Montana injury lawyer, one of the first things they look for is documentation.
4. Trying to Negotiate With the Insurance Company Alone
People often try to handle the claim themselves because they want to keep things simple. But negotiating with a national insurance company is nothing like a normal conversation. Adjusters have extensive training, internal valuation software, and a financial incentive to reduce payouts.
Most people who negotiate alone do not know:
By the time someone calls a lawyer, the insurer may have already shaped the narrative. Having a Montana accident attorney step in early often prevents costly mistakes and preserves leverage.
5. Waiting Too Long to Contact a Lawyer
People worry about “making it a big deal.” They hope the insurance company will be fair. They want to see how things develop.
But evidence doesn’t wait.
Surveillance footage is overwritten. Vehicles get repaired. Witnesses move. Medical records lose clarity. And insurers know that the more time passes, the harder it becomes to prove critical details.
Waiting also risks running up against the statute of limitations, a hard deadline that cuts off your right to file a lawsuit entirely.
Getting legal advice early doesn’t mean you’re rushing to sue. It simply means you’re protecting your claim before opportunities disappear.
Why These Early Mistakes Matter
None of these choices come from bad motives. They come from normal human instincts—trust, patience, and the desire to handle things on your own. But injury cases are not handled in the real world; they are handled in a system built on documentation, strategy, and leverage.
A good personal injury lawyer does more than file documents. They protect you from the traps that insurers set early in the process, often before you even know you’re in a fight.
If you’ve been injured in Montana—whether in a car wreck, a slip and fall, or through medical negligence—getting advice early can prevent months of avoidable problems and put your case on a strong foundation from day one.
The Boland Aarab PLLP Approach
At Boland Aarab PLLP, we take a hands-on, evidence-driven approach from day one. Our clients work directly with experienced trial lawyers—not case managers—and every file gets the careful, strategic attention needed to maximize value. We’re selective, aggressive where it counts, and committed to giving injured Montanans an honest path forward. Schedule a consultation today to discuss your case and get the guidance you need before critical mistakes are made.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this blog is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this post or contacting our firm through this website does not create an attorney–client relationship. Each legal matter is unique, and you should consult a qualified attorney regarding your specific situation.