OREM, Utah — Sep 12, 2026 — Cockayne Law has released guidance highlighting four common mistakes that Utah accident victims may make when dealing with insurance claims following a collision or other personal injury incident.
The guidance, based on observations from founder and Utah personal injury attorney Chris Cockayne during his 17 years of practice, focuses on recorded statements, social media activity, delays in medical evaluation and accepting an early settlement offer.
According to Cockayne, accident victims may face important decisions in the days and weeks following an incident, often before they fully understand the potential legal and financial consequences of those decisions.
“People who have been injured are often trying to cooperate and move forward with their lives, but they may not know how statements, medical records or settlement discussions can affect an insurance claim,” said Chris Cockayne, founder of Cockayne Law. “My job is to make sure that no victim loses thousands of dollars in compensation just because they answered a phone call the wrong way or felt pressured to sign something too soon.”
The firm’s guidance identifies four areas for accident victims to consider:
- Giving recorded statements too early: Insurance companies may request recorded statements shortly after an accident. Cockayne Law advises accident victims to understand what they are being asked to provide and, when appropriate, seek legal advice before making statements that could later become part of a claim or dispute.
- Posting about an accident on social media: Photographs, comments and other social media activity may be reviewed in connection with an insurance or personal injury dispute. Posts that appear inconsistent with reported injuries could potentially be raised during the claims process, depending on the circumstances.
- Delaying medical evaluation: Some injuries may not be immediately apparent following an accident. Cockayne Law notes that obtaining appropriate medical evaluation can help document an individual’s condition and establish a record of treatment. The appropriate timing and type of medical care depend on the person’s circumstances and should be determined with qualified medical professionals.
- Accepting an early settlement offer: An early settlement offer may not account for all future medical expenses, lost income or other damages associated with an injury. Before accepting a settlement, accident victims may wish to understand what rights they are giving up and whether the proposed amount adequately addresses their circumstances.
Cockayne said the purpose of the guidance is to help accident victims make more informed decisions rather than to suggest that every insurance claim follows the same process.
“I almost took the first offer just because I wanted all the legal mess to be over being in the hospital,” said a former client who worked with the firm after a rear-end collision. “Chris told me to slow down and finish my treatment first. That one conversation completely changed the numbers I ended up with in terms of getting compensation.”
Cockayne Law provides legal consultations to accident victims in Utah regarding personal injury and insurance claims. Individual legal outcomes vary according to the facts of each case and applicable law.
About Cockayne Law
Cockayne Law is a Utah-based law firm that represents clients involved in personal injury cases, including car crashes, truck wrecks, motorcycle collisions, bicycle accidents, dog bites and pedestrian accidents.
The firm operates on a contingency-fee basis, meaning clients generally do not pay attorney fees unless the firm obtains a settlement or verdict, subject to the terms of the applicable representation agreement.
Media Contact
Cockayne Law
admin@cockaynelaw.com
(801) 268-2491
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
