Knowing what to do and what not to do is essential if you’re ever involved in a car accident. In the immediate aftermath of such an event, you might not be thinking straight due to the stress.
That’s why it makes sense to know ahead of time how to react if you’re ever in an accident Otherwise, you could easily make a bad situation worse. Here’s a look at six things to avoid doing if you’re in a car accident.
1. Don’t Leave the Scene
You must remain on the scene if you’re involved in a vehicle accident where someone is injured, where a death has occurred, or when there’s damage to a vehicle. Failing to remain on the scene could mean trouble. In fact, you could potentially face legal charges. So, don’t flee the scene of the accident. Wait for the police to arrive, and ensure you get a police report before you leave.
2. Don’t Forget to Call the Police
It’s also essential that you call the police to report the accident. If you need to make a claim with your insurance company, the insurer will want the traffic accident report written up by a police officer who was at the scene of the mishap. This report will include the day the accident happened, what time it happened, where it happened, who the police deem to have been at fault, and other crucial information. So, don’t forget to call the authorities.
3. Don’t Forget to Record Information
You should also record information like the date the accident happened, the weather and road conditions, the license plate numbers of anyone involved in the car accident, and the contact information of anybody who saw the accident and can verify the specific facts. It’s also a good idea to take pictures of any damage to you or anyone else’s car.
4. Don’t Acknowledge the Fault
Another thing to remember is the need to say as little as possible at the accident scene. Do not, under any circumstances, acknowledge fault. In fact, you shouldn’t acknowledge fault even when filing a claim with your insurance company. You shouldn’t lie. But neither should you come out and say that you caused the accident and are at fault. If you admit fault, that could jeopardize your chances of getting the level of compensation you deserve. Your insurer might use your admission of fault to reduce or even deny you any compensation.
5. Don’t Talk to the Other Party’s Insurer
You should also avoid speaking to the other party’s insurer directly. Ensure you contact a personal injury lawyer before talking with the insurer representing the other party. The goal of most insurers is to pay out as little as possible, and they may use your words to invalidate your compensation claim altogether. So, your best bet is to seek out legal representation.
Find a personal injury lawyer with experience helping people who’ve been involved in car accidents. Specialization is important. It’ll increase your odds of getting a favorable outcome.
6. Don’t Post Info About Your Accident on Social Media
It might seem natural to post information about any car accident you’re involved in. But doing so is a no-no. It could trivialize the seriousness of the accident, or you might include details that an insurance company can twist to fit its narrative. So, avoid the urge to post on social media.
These are some of the things you need to avoid after getting into a car accident. Even if you practice good driving habits, accidents do happen – and they’re stressful. It’s not always easy to remember what to do and what not to do right after a car accident. So, the more you know now will help you if you ever face a car accident situation in the future.