If you’ve just been hurt in an accident—whether it’s a car crash, a fall, or something else—you’re probably dealing with a lot: pain, stress, confusion, and questions about what to do next.

I’ve walked hundreds of people through this process, and over the years, one mistake has come up more than any other. It’s a simple one, but it can ruin an otherwise valid personal injury case:

Talking to the insurance company before talking to an attorney.