Getting involved in a car accident is a frightening experience. Even the most experienced and seasoned drivers make basic mistakes after they have been involved in a traumatic event. It is better to have the right comprehension of the common mistakes that people make after being involved in a car accident, since understanding them will assist one in avoiding the mistakes.
This is a comprehensive guide that draws up the Top 10 Mistakes People Make after a Car Accident Injury. It is to the hope that the guide helps you and your loved ones make responses in the best possible manner after an occurrence of an accident, and thus be able to avoid the difficulties that these mistakes create.
1. Not Calling the Police
A police report details an objective record of what took place. During the litigation process, the police report may end up being a very vital piece of evidence, in order to support claims of what really happened. The report can be used in preventing the other driver or witness from making false information. When you are discussing the accident with the police, it is advisable not to admit fault. You may initially believe that you contributed the accident, only later to discover that the other driver was fault.
2. Not Exchanging Insurance Information
If you are involved in a car accident, regardless of how minor it may appear, do not fall into the trap of failing to exchange the insurance information. Even if you think that there is no damage and that no one appears hurt, you may not know what may develop later. Make sure that you get the name of the driver, their address, phone number, the license number, the insurance company, the license plate number and the make and the model of the other vehicle. This is the data that will be used in case you are seeking any legal redress.
3. Not contacting the Insurer as Soon as Possible
After the accident has occurred, you should contact the insurance company as soon as possible. If you live under the no-fault state, the insurance company may be the one covering the damages and any legal bills in case you get sued. You should let your insurer be informed of what is going on as soon as possible in order to let them proceed with filing the claims in accordance with the procedures and their mode of operation.
4. Not Seeking Timely Medical Treatment
After the occurrence of an accident, it may be difficult to tell the type of injuries that you have sustained. Once the body is in shock, you may not feel the pain, until after some hours or later the next day. It is advisable to pursue the services of a doctor to undergo checkups, to ascertain if you are in good condition. If your case results in litigation, then you will have a clear record of the injuries that were caused by the accident.
5. Not Taking Pictures of the Accident Scene
If possible, take the pictures of the damage to both cars involved in the accident. Pictures that are taken immediately will portray the lighting condition at the time of the accident, the areas of impact on both vehicle and the layout of the roads. Once the vehicles are cleared from the scene, you will have the opportunity to review the damage to the other car. In the event that there were disagreements on how the accident happened, you will have the photos to document your claim.
6. Trusting the Insurance Company
After the accident has happened, you will likely receive a call from the other driver’s insurance company. These companies have the tendency of using comforting and catchy advertising campaigns that are all aimed at making you trust them. The truth of the matter is that they are simply doing business and they will find ways of trying to avoid paying anything at all. In case they ask you to make a recorded statement, you should be careful because they might be making you fall into a trick of admitting fault or contradicting yourself.
7. Not Having Your Car Damage Evaluated By a Professional
Make use of a professional mechanic who will be able to document properly the damage that has been done to your car resulting from the collision. You should be provided with the cost of the repairs, the parts needed and the labor. These professionals will be able to evaluate the damages that are not visible to the naked eye. This assessment and documentation may be useful for any future injury claim that you may have.
8. Keeping Insufficient Records
You need to keep carefully all the medical diagnosis records. You should equally keep a record of all the medical bills you incur and lost wages that you miss because of being sick. If you sue the party that caused the accident, having these records will help in ensuring that you are fully compensated.
9. Not Understanding Your Rights
Many people are quite unaware of the types of the expenses and damages that they can seek compensation for after an accident. Damages can be claimed for property loss, medical bills, pain and suffering and lost wages. Seeking the right attorney will ensure that a company does not evade responsibilities and can thus negotiate with the insurance company in case it threatens to cut off any benefits or fail to cover a specific bill.
10. Waiting Too Long to Pursue a Claim
There is very limited amount of time that is set to pursue a claim after an accident. Depending on the facts available, you may need to take action fairly quickly. It is always the best practice to contact an attorney as soon as possible, in order for the attorney to ensure that your right to pursue a claim is properly protected.
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