There are certain things you should do if you are in a car accident. You must seek medical attention to make sure you are okay.
However, many people fixate on what they should do and forget what they should not do. Also, in the heat of the moment, you may do things you should not have done, which may hinder your chances of receiving compensation for your injuries.
In this article, you will see eight different actions you should not do after a car accident:
1. Do Not Run Away
It is understandable that you want to save yourself or you do not want to relive the horror. However, running away is not the right way to go after an accident. Regardless of what you think about whose fault the accident is, you should call for help and wait for help to arrive.
2. Do Not Avoid Calling the Police
If you do not call the police immediately after an accident, you may forget every detail of the accident later when you talk to the police. So it is better to call the police when the details are still fresh in your memory. The police report can become helpful later on if you file to receive compensation.
3. Do Not Admit You Are the Guilty Party
After an accident, you may want to apologize to everyone involved. You may also want to say you are guilty just to make the other person(s) feel better. It is something you should not do. It makes you liable for lawsuits and may hinder your compensation chances.
Ensure you do not admit fault. Refrain from making any statement after a car accident until you have engaged an attorney.
4. Do Not Deny Getting a Medical Check-Up
In the heat of the moment, you may want to claim that you are fine. Also, you should know that your body may receive you. You may have sustained some physical injuries but are not aware of them. When you openly claim you are fine, you may hinder your chances of receiving compensation later.
Although you may appear fine, you must seek medical attention. The medical report can also prove helpful later on in determining the extent of the damage the accident caused you.
5. Do Not Walk Away Without Getting Some Form Of Evidence
It may be difficult to prove anything substantial when you do not collect evidence after the accident. Also, you may find it hard to recollect every detail of the accident. That is why you should collect evidence in a car accident.
“You should take a few pictures and scan the area if there are cameras around. You may also approach some witnesses and collect their contact details,” says personal injury attorney Mitchell Feldman of Feldman Legal Group.
6. Do Not Post on the Internet
You may feel the need to post what has just happened, but the truth is, you should not. The opposition may use this against you by finding inconsistencies in your stories with what you posted. It may hinder your chances of receiving compensation.
7. Do Not Forget to Call Your Insurance Provider
If you have a car or other relevant insurance, contact the appropriate authorities within 24 hours.
8. Do Not Sign Any Document if You Are Yet to Engage an Attorney
The worst mistake is to sign a document before consulting an attorney. Insurance adjusters usually try to get things over quickly and offer less compensation. So, when they contact you, you should ensure not to sign any document. Ensure that you engage an attorney first before dealing with the insurance company.
Final Thoughts
Once you can avoid these dangers, you have increased your chances of a potent argument. You have preserved the integrity of your case. It means your attorney has a potent ground to argue for fair compensation.
