You know you’re a safe driver. But that doesn’t mean everyone around you is! One person will be involved in four accidents on average in their lifetime, or about once every 18 years. The cold hard truth is you will have to deal with the repercussions of a car accident at some point and likely have already. After a car accident, however, several common behaviors can complicate your legal standing, your health, or your car accident settlement. To lessen the blow of this misfortune, remember the following advice!
Do Not Leave the Scene!
If it’s a minor collision, some might think they can just move along and face no consequences. However, leaving the scene may actually get you criminally penalized for being a hit-and-run driver. If someone got injured, such an action could even be labeled as a misdemeanor or even a felony. No one wants that on their record—so remember, don’t leave a collision until everything is settled between those involved in the crash.
Do Not Refuse Medical Treatment!
If EMT wants to evaluate you, it may be tempting to play it tough and insist you’re fine. But you’ll be kicking yourself later on if it turns out you do encounter health issues from the crash and don’t have good medical documentation of your state right after the crash. You’re more likely to face problems demonstrating a serious injury and receiving compensation from insurance for the later medical bills. Definitely allow EMS treatment—you’ll thank yourself later!
Do Not Talk to the Insurance Company!
This may sound controversial, stated so simply. But think about it—without getting legal advice from someone like a car wreck attorney or car accident law firm, your insurance may use your initial statement or claim against you, using your words against you to persuade you towards a lower settlement than what you actually need. The neck and back pain after car accidents will require medical treatment, but often people don’t really know how much until later—until you need a spinal stenosis car accident settlement! Insurance companies will try to give you the smallest amount possible, something that a car collision lawyer would help you do the opposite of.
Do Not Wait to Contact a Car Insurance Attorney!
You will need to talk to your insurance company eventually, of course, and that’s why it’s essential not to wait to contact a car accident and injury lawyer. After an accident, call 911 immediately if someone is injured. Remember, in some states like North Carolina, you must report any accident that caused an injury or property damage of $1,000 or more. Then exchange information, take pictures of the damage, and get on the phone with a car accident attorney. A car accident lawyer can help you figure out just how much compensation you require for things like future medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation, and the hardest thing to calculate—pain and suffering damages!
Recovering from a car accident takes time, patience, and money. Your health and happiness can return to you much quicker if you avoid the many caveats that people fall into after a car accident. Following these rules will help you both opt out of potential penalties and ensure you get the compensation you need after such a traumatic misfortune. There is so much to think about, but car wreck attorneys are here to help!
Recent Comments