A vehicular accident can bring pain and suffering, and in some instances, permanent injuries. Fortunately, you can file an insurance claim or a car accident lawsuit to assist you to meet costs such as lost wages, medical bills, and suffering and pain. However, the steps and decisions you make after the car accident can significantly impact your claim value or your eligibility for compensation.
Therefore, it is important to seek the services of an experienced and reputable car accident attorney who will advocate and fight to secure appropriate compensation for damages as quickly as possible. An experienced car accident attorney will assist you to avoid the following common mistakes after an auto accident.
Failure to call law enforcers to the accident scene
Some victims fail to call the police when involved in a car accident. Unfortunately, in some states, the law requires that you report any auto accident that involves bodily injury, death, or property damage to over five hundred dollars.
Moreover, the police report is proof that the auto accident happened. The other driver, the insurance company, or the culprit’s lawyer may have difficulty denying your claim when law enforcers come to the accident scene, investigate, and file a report.
Leaving the car accident scene
Whether you cause the car accident or not, you erode your integrity and potential damage claim when you quit the accident scene. Anyone involved in an auto accident should stay at the accident scene, exchange information, and assist the injured in getting the required medical attention. Leaving an accident scene when injury or death happens can result in prison time and fines.
If you are not sure of what to do, you should contact a car accident attorney from the accident scene. Nonetheless, you should not leave. Proving fault is critical in securing a settlement for injuries. An accident attorney will use the accident scenes to support your claim.
Admitting liability
Vehicular accident attorneys and insurers investigate auto accident claims carefully to get facts with the objective of shifting blame or determining legal responsibility. Admitting liability assists the other party, and it is comparable to acknowledging blame for the damages and losses in an auto accident.
Let the law enforcement agencies and your lawyer reveal the facts of the accident. Even in circumstances in which you think you are at fault, you could end up sharing liability.
Failure to seek immediate medical help
Often insurance companies will try to reduce the victim’s claim value or deny claims by arguing that the accident victim’s injuries are not serious, or the victim had previous injuries. Having a medical expert examine you soon after an auto accident ensures that any physical injuries, discomfort, or pain are part of a medical report. Additionally, many auto accident injuries become apparent after months, or in some instances, years.
Failure to gather evidence
Some accidents can be so severe that the victim is unable to collect evidence. In such cases, law enforcement agents gather evidence for report filing. However, when car accidents happen, and drivers are not seriously injured, it is advisable to collect their evidence.
Victims who fail to collect contact information, obtain witness statements and take scene photos to force their insurers and lawyers to rely on law enforcers’ reports.
Accepting the first compensation offer
Insurers do not fancy paying claims. They will often try to reduce the financial burden to the minimum. One of the tactics they employ is to propose a quick compensation to victims. Usually, the offer is low but sufficiently tempting to victims struggling with finances due to a car accident. An experienced car accident lawyer can negotiate a better settlement.
