I always assumed that personal injury cases where pretty straight forward. After being in an accident, any financial losses that you suffered would be reimbursed by the liable party's insurance company. Unfortunately, things only work this way in a perfect world. In the real world, personal injury cases are extremely complex and getting the insurance company to pay a fair settlement requires the expertise of an experienced injury lawyer. Unfortunately, it took me several months to finally seek out the legal assistance I needed. As a result, I waited much longer than necessary to get the compensation I so desperately needed. During this time, I learned more about personal injury law than I ever thought I would. It is my hope that this blog will allow me to share that knowledge with you so that you can avoid making some of the same mistakes that I did.
Automobile accidents are events that cannot always be prevented. In 2015, the National Safety Council stated approximately 38,300 individuals were killed on roads within the United States. Excluding those estimates, at least 4.4 million were injured. With those high rates, there are many things you shouldn't do after you are involved in an auto accident.
Issue #1: Never leave the scene of an accident without notifying the police or other emergency services. You and everyone involved could be seriously injured. You may need a police report to determine who was at fault for the accident.
Issue #2: It is common that people don't get enough information at the scene of the accident. It is essential to have the name of the other driver. It is beneficial to have pictures of the damages, if possible. Your memory may not be as clear of all the facts involved in the crash. It is best to have recorded data.
Issue #3: Don't apologize or admit it could have been your fault. You may not be as much as fault as you initially believe. Stay in control and don't let the other driver upset you. Don't make the situation any worse than it has to be. Let the traffic control and police officers work out the details.
Issue #4: Don't refuse medical treatment. You may not think you are hurt, but symptoms could begin later. You may also have internal injuries. If you wait, it could have an influence on physical injury cases. It is advised to receive medical treatment on the scene and have a follow-up --if necessary-- immediately.
Issue #5: Don't sign anything given to you by the insurance company unless you are sure of all of your rights. If you sign documents that you don't understand, you might not receive a settlement. That could include any lost wages, medical expenses, or compensation you may be qualified to receive because of injuries sustained from an accident.
Issue #6: Don't discuss the accident with the other party, including the attorney or insurance company. Also, don't accept the first offer made by the insurance company.
These are just a few of the trigger points of what you shouldn't do after an auto accident. It is advisable to have your insurance information readily available in case you are caught in a similar situation. Be sure you are prepared, because your chances of an accident are always present. Contact a car accident attorney for more info.
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