Car collisions are frightening. Even the slightest mishaps can feel like an unexpected assault on your security and safety. When you consider the physical disruption accidents do to your life and your vehicle, the fear and anxiety of the scenario are further amplified.
Knowing that you’ll have to deal with doctors, insurers, and mountains of paperwork is the thing that may make the situation worse.
Car accidents present victims with a never-ending list of issues to solve and tasks to complete, which leads many victims to give up on their claims before they’ve even begun.
What’s worse is finding out that you made a big mistake that could jeopardize your entire claim.
Fortunately, consulting with a skilled auto accident lawyer can help you avoid a number of problems. Mistakes that could negatively affect your Automobile Accident Case.
We’ve developed a list of some of the most frequent mistakes drivers make that could hurt your case. We hope that by presenting you with this knowledge, you will be prevented from indulging in these hazardous behaviors, so you can obtain the best possible outcome.
Leaving the Scene of the Accident
In almost every state, it is illegal to leave the scene of an accident when someone is injured or there is property damage.
It’s unwise to leave the scene under penalty, and neither can you allow the other driver to do so. If you do break the law, you may receive either a misdemeanor or a felony.
Not Documenting the Accident Scene
Recording the details of an accident is important when proving the liability of the other driver and pursuing your personal injury claim. The more evidence you have to support your personal injury case, the more likely you are to protect yourself from any false claims instigated by the at-fault driver or their insurance company and win a fair settlement or judgment.
Not Documenting Expenses After the Accident
Recording the details of an accident is important when proving the liability of the other driver and pursuing your personal injury claim.
The more evidence you have to support your personal injury case, the more likely you are to protect yourself from any false claims instigated by the at-fault driver or their insurance company and win a fair settlement or judgment.
Not Calling the Police
It does not matter how slight the harm may seem or how much the other motorist apologizes, you need to report the accident to the authorities. If the police do not incur, it’ll be your case versus the other motorist’s case, and this could harm you later on if you check out an injury claim.
The police officer who arrives on the scene of an accident can use clues and testimony to collect the evidence for the lawsuit, which can then be used in the official report.
Make sure you write down the officer’s name and badge number for your records and always be sure to check your copy of the officer’s report for errors. If something must be corrected, make sure it is done immediately, while the details are still fresh in the officer’s mind.
Not Seeking Medical Care
Even being involved in a minor crash can cause major injuries. Often, drivers are reluctant to seek medical care after their motor vehicle accidents because they do not believe they have suffered any injuries. Unfortunately, there are a variety of types of hidden injuries that could surface later and are ongoing.
Organ damage, neck strains, whiplash, or back injuries can take a while to show symptoms, but they are still hazardous and in some cases irreversible. Therefore, it may be additionally dangerous.
Following a motor vehicle collision, it’s advised to pay a visit to your physician soon after. It’s essential for you to have X-rays and other forms of tests taken to ascertain the extent of your injuries. If you are experiencing any pain, urge the physician to document your injuries right away.
Selecting the Cheapest Auto Repair Shop
The insurance companies often require that accident victims go to their preferred car shop as a result of their lower costs or perhaps their quick evaluations.
You should avoid bringing your vehicle to a particular store because it asks for payment for services. Instead, take it to a shop where you have confidence. You can take the repair work to your favorite shop.
Taking your automobile to a number of different locations might be of use as you evaluate which company may offer the very best services or can fix your vehicle quickly.
Admitting Fault or Apologizing
It is vitally important not to admit any wrongdoing or apologize to the other party at the accident scene. These statements can come back to haunt you later on. The truth is that insurance companies aren’t focused on the interest of their customers; they’ll make every effort to find any excuse to deny your claims.
You may believe that an insurance company will use the starting statements you made after its car crash to deny your compensation. But insurers work with an unofficial reduce or deny coverage first, investigate or negotiate later policy. They’re always searching for evidence to support your decision to decrease or refuse payments.
Accepting a Settlement Quickly
Although it may be tempting to take a check so as to cover some of the first medical bills and set aside the case for your court date, you must be aware that the first lawsuit offer is much less than you deserve.
Your insurer wants you to believe that they will receive a large settlement in order to help you. In actuality, they are getting away with paying you pennies on the dollar. There is even slang for such a scam called Swoop and Settle.
Do not accept a lowball settlement offer and do not sign any releases, waivers, or checks an insurance company representative presents to you. Building your case can support your argument and help you receive more money than what the company initially offered.
Not Hiring a Car Accident Attorney
It is crucial for you to know that, as an accident victim, you have legal rights. You have a legal right to financial compensation that covers all the financial harm you have to fight because of an accident.
An Auto Accident Lawyer can assess the details of your case free of charge. If you have a considerable case due to injuries and damages, an attorney can negotiate with your insurance company as well and take the case to court if necessary.
Each case is unique, but in most cases, an experienced attorney can obtain a better car accident settlement than you could on your own.
Conclusion
Car accidents are disorienting, traumatic, and obscured occurrences. Due to this, it’s all too easy to make a quick decision that might have a long-lasting effect on you and your capability to file a claim. Given this, hiring a lawyer is the last thing that many people want to do in the aftermath of a car accident.
Protecting your legal rights is incredibly worthwhile rather than pursuing insurance companies on your own.
If you have been injured in a car accident, you are likely to benefit immensely from an experienced personal injury lawyer’s support and guidance. The insurance company may advise that you do not need a lawyer, but that is only because they do not want you to get one.
An experienced motor vehicle accident law attorney can aid you to get the reimbursement you need after an accident. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the sooner you recover the compensation you are entitled to.
If you’d like to speak with a lawyer about your case, Contact Us or Book a Free Consultation Call below. We will explain the process for your case and the options you have available.