Statistics show that an average person is likely to be involved in an automotive accident once in eighteen years. When a person is involved in an accident, they may not make the best decision concerning the steps they should take since they are in shock and most probably in pain if injured. However, your response after accidents determines whether you will be compensated or not. Unfortunately, most victims make grievous mistakes that prevent them from getting the compensation they deserve.
Most people understand the steps they should take after an accident but may not know what not to do at such times. This helps you ensure you do not make a mistake that will sabotage your efforts to be compensated and also avoid giving a hard time to your car accident lawyer. Keep reading to discover some of the mistakes you should avoid after a car accident.
- Owning a mistake/ responsibility for the accident
In the heat of the moment of the accident, it is natural to own and accept liability for the accident and apologize to the other party. This a grievous mistake since someone could be taking videos and presenting this as evidence against you in court. Do not say I am sorry; rather follow the right channel to establish who was in the wrong. Do not say anything at the scene of the accident; call your lawyer if they are within reach or get in touch them via their website or email for legal advice. If not, collect as much evidence as you can through videos and pictures for presentation at the court when the right time comes.
- Failure to call the Police
One of the first things to do is to call the police to come to the crash scene. Police may not help you in any way to save the situation at the moment but they will come in to collect critical evidence about the accident. They will do so by taking photographs, and videos, tracking down, and talking to eyewitnesses. The information is secure with police and no one can duplicate it hence its authenticity. The police then compile a crash report and issue a traffic ticket to the offender. This will form a great base for your claim. Failure to call the police may put you in a compromising state since the insurance company will wonder why you did not call the police and may use that against you.
- Failure to see your Doctor
It is advisable to see your doctor after a car accident to affirm your well-being or treat you for any injuries. The doctor also documents the effects of the accident on you which is used to affirm the fact that you got injured and deserve to be compensated. The doctor documents the exact injuries, diagnosis, and treatment which is tabled to the insurance company for recovery. Telling an insurance company you got hurt without evidence is trash and will not be evidence enough to claim any compensation.
- Failure to defend traffic ticket issued to you by police
When the police arrive at the scene of the accident, they may conclude that you have committed a traffic offense and issue you a traffic ticket. Do not just accept the ticket so easily, fight it by all means! Paying the ticket may seem the best option at the moment but it can cost you when building a case in court. Involve a lawyer before paying for the ticket and accepting to attend a hearing on the same.
- Failure to ask Question
In a case where you are involved in legal proceedings for compensation, always ask your car accident lawyer questions on areas you may be uncomfortable with. These give you confidence in your case and believe your lawyers better if they answer the questions satisfactorily. No question is too wrong to ask; ask big and small questions and settle only when you are satisfied with the answers.
- Delaying in filing a case
Every country has the maximum time an individual should take before filing a claim after a car accident. Be careful when dealing with your insurer so that they do not drag issues until the set time elapses. Begin the process of claiming compensation immediately after an accident. If you suffered serious injuries, you can seek assistance from your lawyers and family to expedite the process. This reduces the chances of tampering with the evidence in any way.
- Believing the words of the insurance company
Insurance companies will try their best to poke holes into your claim such that it loses the weight it should have for compensation. The aim of the insurance company id works so hard to deny you the opportunity to be compensated since this will be to their advantage. The company does not care if you win the case; their interest is on the profits they will make if you lose the claim case.
- Failure to Gather Evidence
Collecting evidence at the scene of the accident could be the least of your priorities if seriously injured. However, if you are in a good poster, take photographs, record videos, and record live testimonies from eyewitnesses. Take pictures of your car, your injuries, and those in the car if any. Collecting such raw information from the scene of the accident is one of the most reliable pieces of evidence in a claim case. The police can come in handy with information in a situation where your injuries were so severe that they did not allow you to document anything.
Conclusion
No one knows when they may have a car accident and therefore no one is prepared for such. However, it is advisable to have information on this matter so that you can have the power to push for compensation even if means compelling your insurance company to do so in court. A car accident lawyer helps in such moments so that no stone is left unturned and that your claim is settled in full. Avoid these mistakes at all costs by educating yourself about the mistakes beforehand.
