If you are involved in a car accident, how you react after the incident will have major sway on whether you will be able to recover damages or not. Lack of understanding of car accidents and personal injury laws causes many victims to end up making costly decisions in the heat of the moment. We did a little online research and came up with a list of the most common mistakes victims make after an accident. Read on to learn what you should avoid.
1. Not calling the police
The first police officer to respond to the scene collects information that will be crucial in preparing your personal injury claim. They take photographs, car and driver information, and track down witnesses. Without this information, you may lack the grounds to make a claim even, with a lawyer by your side.
2. Going about damage recovery alone
Insurance adjusters are on the negotiation table for one thing: to ensure their company pays out as little as possible or doesn’t pay anything at all. Approaching them alone can be dangerous as they are better acquainted with the law than you are. By involving an expert such as this car accident attorney in Boston in the negotiations, you reduce your chances of being deceived and can expedite the damage recovery process.
3. Admitting guilt
Humans like solving things quickly, and it’s natural to feel sorry for someone who has been hurt more than you in an accident. That said, uttering words such as “I’m sorry” can be seen as an admission of guilt and may significantly hurt your compensation claim. If you have to help fellow victims, do it, but don’t apologize to them or say anything that can damage your claim.
4. Not seeing a doctor
Seeing a doctor immediately after an accident is good for your health and wellbeing. But that’s not where the significance of that trip ends. Those doctor records provide proof that you were actually hurt and deserved compensation. More to the point, a doctor can detect injuries that are not visible at the moment and include the projected costs in your medical records.
5. Accepting the first settlement offer
As stated above, insurance adjusters don’t care for your injuries, so if they are quick to approach you with a settlement offer, it may be because they know involving a lawyer or going to litigation will set them back more. While it is normal to want to settle as soon as possible, the decision may not be as wise and economical in the long run as it may seem at the moment. Take your time to gather all evidence regarding your case and calculate the value of your losses before accepting a settlement offer. Take it only if things seem to add up, but don’t use their word and investigations to make your judgment.
Endnote
Accidents happen without warning, so it’s good to know what is expected of you ahead of time. Hopefully, the above tips give you a nodding acquaintance with common mistakes car accident victims make and how to avoid them for a better and quicker damage recovery process.
