7 Common Mistakes People Make After a Car Accident

By Jody Broaddus

For people who are involved in car accidents, the circumstances of the wreck may have been unavoidable due to bad luck or the consequence of inescapable circumstances such as inclement weather. However, in many situations, a collision or a wreck could have been avoided if proper care and caution been exercised. Negligence, carelessness, and a reckless attitude are all contributing factors to the accident which often results in an undeserving catastrophic injury. After an accident has occurred, the victims and the families of victims have to deal with suffering the physical pain of an injury and emotional trauma as well as the financial burden from ensuing medical bills, lost wages, and in cases involving a fatality, the expense of a funeral.

A mistake after an accident can lead to suffering from different kinds of damages. It is normal to feel distraught, flustered or shaken after an accident, but it is critical to have enough presence of mind to avoid specific mistakes that may prove fatal to your injury claim. Insurance adjusters will always try to twist your statements for their own vested interests; therefore, legal counsel can aid you in receiving the best medical and legal help after your accident. Skilled legal counsel is able to adequately recover the damages that you are legally entitled to.

Below are 7 Common Mistakes People Make After a Car Accident:

1. Always Notify Law Enforcement
   The police report of an accident is an essential element in an insurance claim process and litigation. Failing to inform the police results in failing to have a report made by the police. This means that there is no objective statement that includes all the necessary details. Sometimes the at-fault drivers try to persuade people not to involve the police, however, police should be informed regardless of the severity or the nature of the accident.

 

2. Never Accept Fault Or Apologize
   Never use words like I’m sorry or it was my fault in general conversation as it may be construed as an admission of guilt. Such a slip of tongue can do irreparable damage to your claim. Even if you believe that you were at fault for the accident, you might be wrong as it is very difficult to ascertain all aspects of an accident and determine where the fault truly lies.

 

3. Always Be Truthful About Your Injuries And/or Damages
   It is important to portray yourself as a trustworthy and truthful person in order to prevail in a personal injury claim. Concealing any facts from your attorney, medical professional or your insurance company can serve to harm your credibility in court and may prove fatal for your claim.

 

4. Never Flee From The Scene Of A Wreck
   Fleeing the scene of an accident usually constitutes criminal negligence and the person fleeing from the scene is generally adjudged to be at fault. You should remain on the scene of an accident irrespective of the severity of the collisions or the injuries sustained. It is important that you remain on the scene until police arrive and starts compiling their report.

 

5. Always Notify Your Insurance Carrier
   It is advisable to notify and inform your insurance company immediately after an accident. Failing to do so can result in failure to recover any loss and damages from your insurance company.

 

6. Always Follow The Prescribed Treatment
   Regardless of the circumstances, your number one priority after being involved in an accident should be to seek appropriate medical assistance immediately regardless of the nature or severity of the injuries. Oftentimes after an accident, you may feel fine ostensibly, or it might be difficult to know about the type of injuries. Therefore, by getting early medical treatment you can have your injuries properly diagnosed in a timely fashion.

 

7. Do Not Delay Pursuing Your Claim
   It is advisable to file a personal injury claim through a in a timely fashion as the timeframe to pursue a claim is limited by the statute of limitations in the state where the accident occurred.

If you have been involved in a car accident, contact the Attorneys for Freedom Law Firm or call our Arizona office at 480-755-7110 or Hawai’i office at 808-647-2423 and get a free evaluation and initial consultation on your car accident injury case.