So you have been involved in a car crash. Now, what next? You might feel confused, shocked, upset and overwhelmed. When faced with this situation, it is hard to think straight. Even people that think they are prepared usually end up making mistakes.
You need to know the steps to take after an accident because a simple mistake can hurt your chances of getting compensated.
Read on to find out the top mistakes you need to avoid to get compensated fairly.
Mistake 1: Not Calling the Police
Always call 911 after an accident, even if you feel that your car hasn’t been damaged at all. The other driver might try to dissuade you from calling the police but don’t listen for future reference.
A police report is an invaluable piece of evidence that states what really happened. The report prevents the other parties involved in the accident from making false claims about the accident once you file the claim.
Mistake 2: Not Exchanging Information
Always make sure you get the information of the other drivers and eyewitnesses, no matter how minor the crash seems. Even if you aren’t in pain right now, injuries might manifest the next day or two.
What if you leave the accident feeling fine only to wake up the next morning in extreme pain? You will need to have the information of the other drivers to file a claim properly.
You don’t need a pen and paper to exchange information – all you need is your phone. You can use a note application on the phone to type the information. You can also take a picture of the driver’s license to avoid misspellings.
Mistake 3: Admitting Fault
Whatever happens, never admit negligence. While it is good to apologize, this is not the time to do it.
Admitting negligence could be used against you when the claim is in progress. It might hurt your chances at a fair settlement. Remember, as you record the scene, the other driver is also recording and might use your statements to deny liability.
You might feel you caused the crash, but admitting fault won’t make life easy for you. The insurer is never sympathetic, and they will come after you. In many accidents, both drivers are usually partially at fault.
Mistake 4: Not Taking Enough Pictures
Taking pictures and recording videos at the scene of the accident is prudent. These serve as critical evidence that you cannot do without later on in the case. Try and get photos or videos of the following:
● All the vehicles involved in the crash. Try and get the photos and videos before they are removed from the scene.
● The inside of the vehicles.
● Street signs.
● The condition of the road.
● Any debris.
● Your injuries.
● Any damage to road property such as signs and guardrails.
Make sure the pictures are clear, and they show all the details you wish to capture. Backup copies to a cloud storage application so that you have them ready whenever they are needed.
Mistake 5: Not Contacting a Qualified Car Accident Lawyer
Regardless of the severity of the crash, you should contact a Waterbury car accident attorney to discuss the incident. A skilled lawyer helps protect your rights and get justice for you. Having a lawyer is crucial whether you have sustained injuries or not because he helps you avoid mistakes that might change the narrative of the claim.
The lawyer handles the claim with the insurer and fights for your rights so that you get fair compensation. Contact the lawyer as soon as possible to get the claim started.