Avoid These 8 Mistakes After A Car Crash
Car accidents are a common occurrence. No matter how carefully you drive, there’s a possibility of getting into a vehicle crash. It could either be a minor fender bender or a major wreck. Experiencing a severe car crash can be terrifying and overwhelming. It is highly likely that you’ll make critical mistakes in the moments right after due to the chaos and panic involved. How you respond to the situation could impact your right to receive compensation for recovery. Approach the incident with clarity and make sure to avoid these eight common mistakes:
Fleeing The Scene Of The Accident Immediately
The act of hit-and-run has become quite prevalent, but it’s illegal to leave the scene of a car accident. While your impulse reaction might be to flee the area, doing so is a crime. Regardless of who was at fault, you’re required to stop and pull over to the side of the road. Check on the other driver, exchange information (this is especially important if you’re the one who got injured or sustained damage to your vehicle), and contact law enforcement. If you make the careless mistake of quickly leaving the scene of a car accident that results in injury or property damage, you will be charged with a misdemeanor. To avoid punishments like having your driver’s license suspended, a fine, or being convicted, you must remain in the area.
Waiting Too Long To File The Case
It’s critical to act promptly and not delay filing your claim. If the claim is not filed within the time limit given by your state, the court may strip away your right to file it and to receive compensation. In addition, the accident might have caused physical, emotional, or material damage which could be compensated by filing a lawsuit. That is how suing after an auto accident could help you recover the treatment costs caused by the accident. Therefore, it’s best to file the claim immediately before your memory of the accident fades.
Refusing to See A Doctor And Declining Medical Care
You might be underestimating your injuries right after the accident, and the minor pains may lead you to skip medical care. However, when the adrenaline starts to wear off, the injuries become apparent, and even untreated, minor injuries could turn into serious injuries. Getting medical attention as soon as possible after an accident could save you from facing life-threatening consequences. Therefore, it is critical to see a doctor document your injuries in addition to obtaining immediate assistance for your own health and treatment. Furthermore, delaying medical treatment could prevent you from receiving personal injury compensation by affecting the validity of your claim. Finally, documenting your injuries and creating a record will serve as evidence to ensure that your claim for fair settlement is not denied by the insurance company.
Not Reporting The Accident
The immediate action to take after a car accident is to call the police no matter how minor the injury or car damage is. The police will investigate the crash, collect evidence and create a report about the details of the crash, which also includes their assessment of who appears to be at fault. This report contains critical information and could be a valuable and crucial component when you later file an injury claim. Plus, if you didn’t notify the police at the time, it could come back to haunt you in the form of non-payment of medical costs or even delays in vehicle repairs.
Admitting Your Fault
The other driver’s insurance company could use anything you say at the accident scene or in the recorded statements against you. You might think that you’re at fault and might be tempted to apologize because of shock or wanting to resolve things. However, admitting blame to anyone could put you and your lawyer at a disadvantage by negatively impacting your case. Without hard evidence, your thoughts about what happened at the scene might be incorrect. So it’s better to provide factual answers and leave the matter to law enforcement professionals because even a slight admission of guilt could jeopardize your claim.
Neglecting Proper Documentation Of The Accident Scene
While it’s understandable for you to feel distressed or confused after your accident, it’s highly important to gather as much evidence as you can. This evidence will involve taking photos, noting down names and contact information, etc. which will support your injury case. Furthermore, it will protect you from possible fabricated allegations made by the other party and give your attorney a head start when they begin their investigation.
Accepting The First Insurance Settlement Offer
It might be tempting to accept the first check the insurance company offers you. Insurance companies like to convince crash victims that they will get a significant settlement. However, keep in mind that these insurance companies profit by paying out as little as possible and are possibly offering you a lot less than you deserve. Before signing any release, understand your legal rights and take the time to find out if you have any lingering car accident-related injuries. Finally, build your case by having an attorney review it.
Navigating The Process Alone Without Hiring An Attorney
It’s not a good idea to deal with a car accident claim on your own since it could become complicated. However, you are likely to benefit from getting an attorney by your side to help you navigate the legal system and make every aspect of filing a claim easier to handle. An experienced personal injury lawyer will handle all your communications, negotiate with the insurance company, and help expedite the process of you receiving your rights and benefits.
As unfortunate and difficult as it can be, we sometimes have to prepare ourselves for the worst. And you’ll find that by doing this, you’ll be able to avoid tragic mistakes if you are always ready for any kind of scenario, no matter how bleak and heavy it might seem. An accident can be a traumatizing event leading you to make decisions that could have a long-lasting effect. However, by getting legal help, you can lessen your mental stress and file a successful lawsuit without the hassle.
