A car accident can be a very traumatic experience that can easily turn even the calmest of drivers into a cauldron of rage and bitterness. At first, confusion regarding what to do in the aftermath of the accident may set in, and any wrong decisions could jeopardize your chances of getting compensation, or add fuel to the case against you if you are the at-fault party.
Remaining clam and being patient can solve most of your car accident woes, but so will remembering what not to do or say. Here are a few tips of what not to do after being involved in a car accident.
Don't leave the scene of the accident
It is understandable to want to call a cab and get away from the scene of a gritty accident as quickly as possible, but this would be considered fleeing the scene of an accident, which could be a felony in your state. The best thing to do is remain calm and wait for the authorities to get there.
While being questioned by the officer, give an accurate account of what happened, as this will go into the police report that could be used in a personal injury case against the at-fault driver. However, you should never admit fault even if you feel you were responsible for the accident. The burden of determining who should pay falls on the insurance adjuster in your case, so there is no need to admit to anything at the scene of the crash.
Don't accept a direct offer of payment
In cases where damage may seem minor, it is common for parties involved to agree on a payment without the incident to their respective insurers. However, you should be cautious in such situations, especially if you are not at fault. Reporting the accident to your insurer won't affect your driving record if you are not at fault.
Accepting a settlement without a proper assessment of the damage may mean you get less compensation than you actually deserve. Wait to speak to the insurance adjuster assigned to your case so as to determine how much your compensation should be for damages and medical bills. In addition, the adjuster could refer you to your insurer's 'preferred' repair facility, where you could get a guarantee that you wouldn't have received in any other facility.
You can also consult a personal injury lawyer like Joseph L Attorney Lucchesi to look at the case and determine if you have any grounds for additional compensation for medical care, emotional distress, and other losses in a lawsuit.
Share18 June 2015
While I took a few business classes in college, I left early to start my own business. I thought I had the knowledge I needed to become a great business owner and was eager to start my business. Soon, I had a new business that was actually performing pretty well in sales. Unfortunately, I hadn't taken any law courses in college, and I soon realized I made a few mistakes when starting my business that could cause me some legal trouble. Thankfully, a great business lawyer helped me correct my mistakes before I had any legal problems, but I then decided to take those business law courses. I want to help business owners and anyone else who would like to learn more about the law by starting a blog where I will share what I have learned and will continue to learn. I hope I can help you!