5 Holiday Travel Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Injury Claim

Garcia Legal Group • November 24, 2025

People, Not Case Numbers.

Nighttime highway packed with heavy traffic, cars and buses bumper-to-bumper with headlights glowing, capturing the congestion and holiday travel rush in an urban city setting.

The Thanksgiving holiday is one of the busiest travel weeks of the year. Highways fill up, families rush from one gathering to the next, and long weekend plans often take priority over slow, careful decisions. Unfortunately, that combination creates one of the highest accident rates of the year, especially in Dallas–Fort Worth.



If you’re traveling this week, here are five common mistakes that can quietly weaken your injury claim, even when the wreck wasn’t your fault.



1. Skipping Photos Because You’re “In a Hurry”


Holiday travel is stressful. Everyone wants to get where they’re going, fast.

But rushing away from the scene leads to missing the evidence your case depends on.


Photos you should always take:

  • All sides of both vehicles
  • Close-ups of damage
  • The road surface (skid marks, debris, weather)
  • License plates
  • The surrounding area
  • Injuries you can see


Why it matters:

Insurers rely heavily on photo evidence. Without it, they argue the wreck was “minor” or claim the damage came from somewhere else.



2. Deciding Not to Call the Police


During the holidays, many drivers say:

“Let’s just exchange information, we don’t need the police.”


This is one of the biggest mistakes you can make.


A police report protects you by documenting:

  • What each driver said
  • Visible injuries
  • Road conditions
  • Fault indicators
  • Witness statements


Without a report, stories change, details get fuzzy, and the insurance company gains the upper hand.



3. Delaying Medical Treatment Because You Feel “Fine”


Between cooking, travel, and family plans, it’s easy to push off a doctor’s visit.


But holiday delays become insurance ammunition.


The truth:

  • Injuries often show up 24–72 hours later
  • Adrenaline can hide pain
  • Waiting days or weeks lets insurers argue your injury came from something else


Getting checked early links your pain to the wreck.

Your health and your claim, depend on it.



4. Posting Holiday Travel Photos Too Soon


Social media is part of the season, but be careful what you share.


Insurance companies check for:

  • Family photos after the wreck
  • Shopping trips
  • Holiday activities
  • “I’m okay” captions
  • Anything that looks like you’re not injured


One cheerful picture can be twisted into “See? They’re fine.”


Until your case is resolved, keep your recovery offline.



5. Saying Too Much at the Scene


During the holidays, people try to be polite:

  • “I’m sorry.”
  • “I didn’t see you.”
  • “I’m okay.”


These statements feel kind in the moment, but they can hurt your claim later.


Stick to the facts only:

  • Names
  • Plates
  • Insurance
  • Location
  • What you saw
  • What happened in simple terms


Let the evidence, not emotions, tell the story.


Final Thought: Protect Yourself, Even During the Holidays


If you’re traveling this week, stay safe, take your time, and protect yourself after any collision, even a “small” one.


And if a wreck does happen, you don’t have to navigate it alone.

At Garcia Legal Group, we’re here to support you through every step, with clarity, compassion, and the expertise your family deserves.


Attorneys: Atalia Garcia & Machell Williams

📞 Call us at (972) 996-2329

People, Not Case Numbers.


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