Holiday Accident? Call Us in January, but Do These Two Things First

By Eugene Bruno on November 26, 2025

The holidays are a busy time on the roads, and accidents can happen even to the most careful travelers. Between packed freeways, distracted drivers, late-night celebrations, and unpredictable weather, December and early January are among the most dangerous driving periods of the year.

But let’s be honest—nobody has time to deal with an accident claim during the holidays. Many people are traveling, working extra shifts, juggling family events, or simply trying to make it through the season without adding another stressor to the list.

So if you’re involved in a car crash or other type of accident this holiday season but don’t have time to contact a lawyer until after the New Year, that’s okay. You don’t need to handle the entire claim right now—you just need to take two critical steps that will protect your health, your rights, and your future case.

IMPORTANT: Get Checked Out Right Away

Even if you feel “fine,” even if the damage looks minor, even if you’re trying not to ruin holiday plans—get medical attention immediately. This one step can make or break your case later.

Here’s why it matters so much:

1. Injuries Can Hide for Days or Weeks

Adrenaline, stress, and the chaos of the holidays can mask serious injuries. What feels like a little soreness could be:

• Whiplash
• A concussion
• A herniated disc
• Soft-tissue injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Nerve damage

Delaying treatment can make these injuries worse and more difficult to prove.

2. You’re Creating a Medical Record, Your Most Important Evidence

Insurance companies rely heavily on medical documentation. If you don’t get checked out right away, they may argue that:

• You weren’t really hurt
• Your injuries came from something after the accident
• The accident wasn’t serious
• You waited too long to seek help, so the claim isn’t valid

Early medical care protects you from those arguments and establishes a clear timeline that ties your symptoms to the accident.

3. You Protect Your Long-Term Health

Ignoring injuries during the holidays because you’re busy is incredibly common—but it’s also risky. Untreated injuries can turn into chronic pain, mobility issues, or long-term conditions that could have been prevented with early treatment.

A simple visit to urgent care, your primary doctor, or even the ER gives you both peace of mind and a foundation for your future claim.

CAUTION: Beware of Fast Holiday Settlement Offers

This is the trap almost everyone falls into during the holiday season.

As soon as the accident is reported, the other driver’s insurance company will likely contact you fast. And their timing is no coincidence.

They know the holidays are expensive.
They know people are overwhelmed.
They know you don’t want to deal with paperwork right now.

So they make a “quick and easy” offer that sounds like relief during a stressful season.

But here’s the truth:

These offers are ALWAYS lowball offers. Always.

Why They Want You to Settle Early

Insurance companies want to close your claim before you:

• See a doctor
• Discover the true extent of your injuries
• Talk to an attorney
• Learn your rights
• Understand the long-term costs

By offering quick money, they’re hoping you’ll sign away your rights before you realize how much your case is actually worth.

Why Waiting Is Almost Always Better

Quick money may be tempting, especially during the holidays, but that offer will still be there in January, and it’s very likely to increase once you get proper legal guidance. Insurance companies won’t tell you this…but we will.

If you accept their first offer, you could easily lose out on:

• Coverage for medical treatments
• Compensation for missed work
• Pain and suffering damages
• Future treatment costs
• Compensation for long-term or permanent injuries

Once you sign, the case is closed forever. There are no do-overs.

The Safest Move? Wait.

Take your time. Focus on getting through the holidays. Don’t let a claims adjuster pressure you into making a rushed decision that can affect your health and finances for years.

Final Thoughts: Protect Yourself Now, Handle the Case Later

If you find yourself in an accident this holiday season, don’t panic and don’t rush. You don’t need to start the legal process immediately—but you do need to protect your future claim by taking these two steps:

1. Get evaluated by a medical professional.
2. Stay away from early settlement offers.

That’s it.

By doing these two things, you safeguard your health, preserve your legal rights, and make it much easier to pursue fair compensation once the holiday season settles down.

We’ll be here in January when you’re ready.

Speak With a San Diego Car Accident Lawyer Today

Contact Eugene Bruno & Associates today at 1-888-BRUNO-88 (1-888-278-6688) for a free consultation and discuss your San Diego car accident.