Mistakes to Avoid When Involved in an Accident
Being in a big accident can be an extremely traumatic and painful experience and can lead to substantial injury, emotional trauma, and financial costs. Sadly, the number of road accidents is increasing year on year due to various reasons such as bad weather, reckless driving, and driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. If you are involved in an accident, it can be a very confusing and disorienting time, and many people don’t know what they are supposed to do. You need to take care of your injuries, deal with damage to your vehicle, and take the necessary steps to ensure you get any compensation which you are entitled to. It is just as important to know what not to do as what you should do if you want to make a full physical and financial recovery after an accident.
To help everyone who has been involved in an accident, here are six common mistakes you need to avoid.
1. Failing to Seek Medical Care
Seeking immediate medical attention following a traffic accident may seem obvious, but many people fail to do so because they don’t think they are hurt. Shock can set in and mask your pain and injuries and you won’t realize the extent of the damage until later. You need to put your health first following an accident so as soon as you get the chance you should go to the hospital. A qualified medical professional will be in the best position to accurately judge the extent of your injuries. Going to the hospital is also very important because you will need the medical reports to file a claim against the party responsible for the accident. These reports will show the costs of your treatment so that you can get all the money you require to cover your injuries.
2. Filing a Claim Without a Lawyer
Filing a personal injury claim following a personal injury can be very difficult, but hiring a specialist accident attorney can help to make the process simple. Different states have different laws and so you should always choose a local attorney so that they can advise you on the best course of action. In Philadelphia, for example, there is a statute of limitations on how long you can wait to get medical treatment following an accident if you want to claim compensation. One firm of Philadelphia car accident lawyers explains that your attorneys will ensure everything is done on time and with your best interests at heart. Choosing the right lawyer can be overwhelming because there are so many available who specialize in personal injury cases. Make sure you ask about their experience in securing compensation or favorable out-of-court settlements for their clients so that you know they have a good track record.
3. Not Contacting the Police
Calling the police after an incident may be worrying to some people, but in the confusion which follows a big accident, the police can ensure that everyone is safe. They can calm the situation down, take statements, and arrest anyone who is behaving aggressively or who they deem to be drunk or criminally liable for what happened. If there are any serious injuries, the police can stop traffic so that ambulances are able to come and help those who are hurt. When the police are called to an accident, they will write a police report including what they believe to have happened as well as witness statements and the details of everyone involved. This police report can be powerful evidence to support your compensation claim.
4. Fleeing the Scene of the Accident
Carelessness is one thing, but fleeing the scene of an accident is against the law, particularly when someone is injured or if there has been substantial vehicle damage caused in the crash. In such cases, exchanging information with all the other parties involved in the accident is your legal responsibility. If you don’t obtain these details, you will not be able to make a claim against the responsible parties for the compensation you are entitled to. If another party flees the scene, becomes aggressive, or refuses to give you their details, then take down their license plate number and the color and model of their vehicle, so that your attorney or the police can track them down later. Never get in a confrontation with another driver or person after an accident. People can become irate due to pain and shock so it is always better to walk away and let the police deal with the situation.
5. Admitting You are at Fault
You may feel responsible for the accident, but it is still crucial that you do not admit fault to any of the other drivers or emergency responders. An admission of fault can be used against you by the other parties who may then be able to claim massive compensation from you. It is not for you to decide responsibility in an accident. Follow this guide and follow the advice of your attorneys. They may agree that you were responsible and discuss with you the best course of action. On the other hand, they may feel like the evidence will not show you to be responsible, in which case you may be best served going to court to fight any claims made against you.
6. Accepting an Unfavorable Out-Of-Court Settlement
If you were the innocent party in an accident then you will need to notify the responsible party that you intend to file a claim against them. They may then decide to offer you an out-of-court settlement to avoid the hassle and expense of the case going to litigation. Consider all of your costs and ask advice from your attorneys about how much you are likely to be awarded if you go to court. This will help you to decide what is a fair offer.
Anyone can be involved in an accident so you should always drive carefully and responsibly. If you are unfortunate to be involved in an accident, make sure you do the right things and avoid these mistakes. You will then have a great chance of a positive outcome in any subsequent legal proceedings.
