Avoiding Common Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Car Accident Claim

Making mistakes could easily damage your case in the aftermath of a car accident. These mistakes can be caused due to shock, adrenaline, or confusion. Always exchange contact information with the other driver, witnesses, and police officers. Also, keep receipts for all expenses and document your injuries as soon as possible.

Leaving the Scene of the Accident

Leaving the scene of an accident is against the law and can have serious consequences. You may face criminal charges if you leave the scene of the accident, and your monetary recovery from the crash may be hindered. By state law, you must immediately stop, look for injuries, and give the other driver(s) your information. It would help if you also tried to gather evidence at the accident scene. It can include photos, skid marks, and witness statements.

Admitting Fault

Admitting fault after a car accident may be tempting, especially if you feel partially responsible. However, this may harm your chances of getting the compensation you are due. Admitting fault may not only damage your credibility with police officers and insurance companies, but it can also reduce or deny your insurance claim. A car accident lawyer Hernando County FL, can help you limit the damage from an admission of fault. Insurance companies will ask leading questions and record statements, so be careful what you say.

Failing to Report the Accident

Unless your insurance policy excludes it, all accidents should be reported to your insurer. Even if there is no visible damage or nobody seems injured, you should still report the accident because sometimes injuries and problems don’t immediately appear. Failing to do so could result in legal penalties such as fines and jail time. It might also negatively impact your future chances of pursuing a personal injury lawsuit or making an insurance claim.

Not Compiling Enough Information at the Accident Scene

Taking photos of the scene, getting contact information for witnesses, and preserving physical evidence can help your claim. Preventing the need to apologize or say anything that can be taken as an admission of guilt is also a good idea. Safety should always come first but gather as much information as possible after being safe. It includes photographing vehicle damage, road conditions, skid marks, and traffic signs. Keeping copies of your medical records and accident reports is also important.

Making Statements to Insurance Companies

During the days following a car accident, an insurance company may request that you provide statements. You should first consult with an attorney before giving a statement. Insurance representatives could misinterpret what you say or use it against you to reduce your claim’s value. Insurance companies also ask questions designed to make you appear dishonest, which can be used against you later in court. If an adjuster says you must give a recorded statement before your claim is processed, politely tell them you will speak to your lawyer first.

Failing to Seek Medical Attention

Pain and other symptoms may be obscured by the adrenaline rush following a car accident, so always avoiding caution and getting medical help is important. Leaving your injuries untreated could have serious health consequences, and it may also weaken your legal claim. Proper medical treatment provides a clear record of your condition and connects it to the accident, which helps strengthen your legal claims against responsible parties.

Underestimating Your Injuries

Many injuries received in car crashes do not manifest themselves immediately. It’s possible that symptoms like back pain, neck pain, or traumatic brain injury won’t manifest for several days, weeks, or months following the collision. Car accident injury attorneys caution clients against saying they feel fine early on. Insurance companies can use these statements against injured victims to downplay their injuries and avoid paying them what they deserve. Insurance adjusters can access social media accounts, so be careful what you post.

Failing to Contact an Attorney

Car accidents can be traumatic and complicated. They can leave physical, emotional and financial scars that can last a lifetime. A car accident attorney can help victims avoid mistakes that hurt their claims and ensure they receive fair compensation.

Insurance companies will do everything possible to ruin an accident victim’s case. They will look for anything, even private, that can disprove their injuries. One mistake, procedural error, or poor communication with your attorney could ruin your claim.