The average person experiences a major car accident only once or a few times in their entire life. Due to this fact, most people are completely shaken up after a collision.
This state of shock that most people go through often causes them to make mistakes that lower the compensation they get or even lead to them facing legal consequences.
Here are 5 of the most common mistakes people make after a car crash and to avoid them.
Not Contacting the Police
The valuable evidence that the police on the scene collect could very well work in your favor. Although they’re not there to help either party, the data they collect, including contacts of witnesses and photographs of the scene, could work as a launching point for your claim.
The police also prepare a crash report that contains critical information regarding the accident. Not calling the police could put you under suspicion by the jury and insurance companies.
Admitting it Was Your Fault
Most people accidentally blurt out something that might negatively impact their case, like saying “I’m sorry” to the other party, admitting it was their fault. Even if you’re convinced you’re at fault, saying it to the police or the other driver will put you in trouble.
The other driver’s insurance company will immediately take your word for it and blame you as the cause, putting an end to the story. The main reason not to do this is that there may have been other factors that lead to the crash as well. For instance, the other driver might have been texting while driving or was intoxicated.
Failing to Collect Evidence
While it’s hard to blame them, most people often forget to take photos and gather useful evidence after an accident while they’re still at the scene. Unfortunately, people require emergency medical care in many of these cases so they’re unable to do anything.
If you’re not seriously injured, try to snap as many photos as you can of the accident scene, the damage done to both vehicles, and any injuries you might have suffered.
Forgetting to Hire a Lawyer
Handling a car accident claim on your own and expecting your insurance company to give you the compensation you deserve isn’t the best idea. Usually, insurance companies use several strategies to limit the compensation they need to give you.
For instance, they might try to convince you to accept a low settlement offer not long after the accident when you’re under pressure. That’s why you need to have an experienced car accident attorney from a licensed law firm like Javier Villarreal Law Firm.
Oversharing on Social Media
A major issue that many people, especially young drivers don’t realize is whatever information they share on their social media can be used against them. Until your claim is resolved, it’s best to avoid posts that involve:
- Information about the injuries you sustained and your recovery.
- Information regarding the cause of the accident.
- Posts about traveling or having fun with family and friends after the accident.
While it’s best not to post anything on social media at all but if you really must then talk to your lawyer about what you should avoid until the claim is dealt with.
