Car accidents are very common in the US. In fact, it is more common than it should be. The most common cause of car accidents is negligence. You should know that negligence is punishable. You can file a claim against the negligent party to recover the losses you incurred due to the car accident and hold them accountable for their actions.
However, in personal injury cases, you bear the burden of proof. So, you must prove that the defendant acted negligently, and their negligence is the direct reason for your injuries and your losses.
Proving your case is the hardest part of a personal injury case. Hiring the best car accident lawyer can help you to a great extent in proving your case. The actions you take following a car accident can also help. A minor mistake you make can hurt your case and your chances of getting compensation.
This blog post intends to help you learn about the mistakes you should avoid following a car accident.
The 6 Things You Should Avoid After a Car Accident
Personal injury cases are complex, and even a minor mistake can turn the case against you. Following are some of the mistakes you should avoid following a car accident:
- Don’t Forget to File a Police Report
- Don’t Apologize
- Don’t Leave the Accident Scene
- Don’t Refuse Medical Treatment
- Don’t Speak with the Insurance Company Without a Lawyer
- Don’t Deal with the Case Alone
Don’t Forget to File a Police Report
Even if your accident is minor, you must file a police report. A police report can be a great tool when it comes to proving negligence. Also, if you don’t inform the police, there won’t be any evidence to prove that the accident occurred. The other person can simply deny that the accident happened. So, a police report is necessary in personal injury cases.
Don’t Apologize
Never apologize to the other party. You may never win the case if you do so. Saying sorry is an admission of guilt. It shows that the accident was indeed your fault. Insurance companies will try to find ways to lower or reject your settlement, and your apology is a great reason for the insurance companies.
Don’t Leave the Accident Scene
Leaving the accident scene may make you look guilty and make the whole situation more complex. By leaving the accident scene, you just make the case infinitely harder for your lawyer. Also, it is illegal to leave an accident scene. So just stay at the accident scene until the police arrive.
Don’t Refuse Medical Treatment
Check your health, even if you feel fine. Some injuries may not show symptoms for a long time. Failing to identify these injuries will lead to failure to claim compensation for them. In addition, you may fail to find these injuries before the statute of limitations expires. Then you may not be able to file the claim itself.
Don’t Speak with the Insurance Company Without a Lawyer
Insurance companies’ goal is to reduce or reject your claim, even if they claim to do the opposite. They will use many strategies to do that. When they speak with you, they will try to extract information from you and make you admit fault. Personal injury lawyers are aware of these strategies and can protect you effectively.
Don’t Deal with the Case Alone
In other words, don’t forget to hire a car accident lawyer. A car accident lawyer can investigate the case, collect evidence, calculate losses, draft a demand letter, negotiate with the insurance company, and obtain fair compensation for your losses. You will miss out on all these things if you don’t hire a lawyer.
Final Thoughts
You might feel confused about what to do after a car accident. Just visit a car accident lawyer and let them guide you. They are the only people you can trust following a car accident. Hire a lawyer and get the compensation you deserve.
