In the moments after a car accident, your heart may be pounding and your mind racing. Your first instinct may be to flee the scene, or say, "I'm sorry, it's all my fault" but you don't want to do either of these.

If you're in a car accident, knowing what mistakes to avoid can help ensure that your car insurance claim goes smooth and you aren't arrested for "hit and run." Whether you're simply shaken or confused after an accident, you don't want to accidentally say or do something that will hurt your claim.

Never admit fault.
Even if you think you were to blame for the accident, the last thing you want to say is "It was all my fault." It's better to let the experts do their job and determine who's at fault. At the very least, the other driver may have been partially at fault, which in most states would reduce the claim.

Some rule applies to police statements. An admission on the record can come back and haunt you, even if you it turns out you weren't at fault at all. Admitting fault when you weren't to blame only gives the insurance company an opportunity to try and avoid paying a fair settlement.

No negotiating with the other driver.
In a minor fender bender, it may be tempting to take the other driver's cash to keep the incident off their record. While it may sound reasonable on the surface, you can end up paying dearly in the end, especially if the damage or injuries turned out to be more serious than you thought.

Insurance companies have a window for reporting accidents and filing claims. If you miss this window, they can deny you coverage. Even more worrisome, you could find yourself a victim of insurance fraud because the other driver files an inflated claim.

The best way to protect yourself after an accident is to leave it to a car accident attorney to handle the details and protect your best interests from the start.