You would never imagine yourself to be in a road accident as they are so terrible. But the truth is that they can happen to anyone. You need to realize that by doing the wrong things, you can make the bad situation worse. You need to make the right decisions after the accident so that you get the right compensation that you deserve.
So we have compiled a list of things you should never do after a road accident, be it a car or a bike, so you can avoid making the bad situation worse and not getting the compensation you deserve.
1. Leaving The Scene of the Accident
If you leave the scene of the accident, you are converting it into a scene of a crime. In most states across the US, it is illegal to leave the accident scene. It doesn’t matter if you are at fault in the accident or not; you should not leave the scene of the accident.
You need to stop your vehicle and pull it over to the side of the road to avoid further collisions and accidents. Stopping the vehicle after the accident and moving it to the side of the road are both required under the same law.
2. Not Calling The Accident In
Many presume you only need to call 911 if someone got injured in the accident. This is not true as you must call 911 whenever you are involved in an accident. The police can help to establish who’s at fault for the accident. The police provide a report stating whose fault the accident was and how it occurred by observing the road conditions, investigating the crash, and talking to the witnesses. This report is a crucial component of the case that is filed after the crash.
The police also help by ensuring that both the drivers exchange correct information after the crash. If your vehicle has been disabled due to the crash, the police can help remove it from the road. The police can also take charge of the scene of the accident and direct traffic after the collision, helping to prevent any other accidents.
3. Not Hiring an Attorney
After an accident, some people try to handle the case on their own. This might be a mistake. Whatever type of road accident you have been in, a car or motorcycle lawyer will be able to help you to make everything a lot easier after the accident. The insurance company of the other involved driver will not be able to speak to you directly as soon as you hire a lawyer to represent you. They will need to get in touch with your attorney instead.
The same will apply to your own insurance company. Your insurance company also will need to communicate through your attorney. It is best to hire an attorney as soon as possible; this way, you eliminate the chance of making any mistakes by attempting to handle it all yourself.
4. Not Remember to Exchange Information
It is natural for you to feel disoriented after an accident and not remember what you need to do. But, you must remember to exchange the insurance information, such as the policy number and the insurance company’s name. This is especially crucial as the insurance companies are the ones that handle accidents. Many people do not have the financial ability to compensate you after an accident.
If they have insurance, the company will make the payment on their behalf. This makes insurance information the most essential information to be exchanged. You will also be required to exchange your name, the registration number of your vehicle, and your address. You may also be required to produce your driver’s license.
5. Underestimate Your Injuries
It might be possible that you feel minimal pain after being in an accident. However, as the adrenaline wears off with passing time, you might see that the injuries are rather serious. This is why you should seek medical attention after any accident, even if you feel that you have minor injuries. The doctor will prescribe you the proper medications if you are in pain. These medicines will help you down the line if the pain gets worse.
The doctor will also be able to document the injuries, which will be helpful in your case. Some of the common road accident injuries include brain injuries, sprains or strains, spine injuries, and broken bones.
6. Not Gather Enough Evidence
You need to collect as much evidence as possible about the accident and how it took place. Using your phone camera, you should take pictures of your car and the other car. If there are witnesses on the site, you should collect their names and contact info.
You should note down what the weather conditions were like, the time and date of the accident, and the traffic conditions at the time of the accident. Your future case will be immensely benefited by whatever information you can obtain.
7. Not Be Entirely Honest With Your Attorney
If you have been in a car accident, you must share as much as possible regarding the accident with your attorney. No matter what the information is, you must be entirely honest with your attorney, ensuring not to hold back any information and give them the whole picture.
Your attorney needs to have all the good, bad, or ugly information to serve you well as your case moves ahead. Hence, you must not withhold any information and give them all the details of the accident.
Summing Up
You have to get your wits together after an accident as it is very easy to do the wrong things that you might later regret. Hopefully, our tips on what not to do after an accident have guided you in the correct direction. It is best to hire an attorney to guide you through the process. As long as you are well-informed, you can take the proper steps that will help you make the best case after a road accident.
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