The US experiences about 6 million accidents each year. While most of these are minor fender benders, many car accidents result in serious injuries or even death. If you’re involved in a car accident, it’s important to know what to do after the fact to protect your legal rights.
Many people make the mistake of assuming that they do not need to take any action after car accident. This is not true!
You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, and you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible. In this article, we’ll discuss some steps you can take to protect your legal rights after car accident.
Do Not Leave the Accident Scene
Leaving the scene after a car accident can result in severe legal penalties, even if you were not at fault for the accident. If possible, move your car to the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights.
Once you’ve moved your car or made sure it’s safe, exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver(s) involved in the accident.
Call emergency services in case of injuries and contact the police. You should also cooperate with the police when they arrive on the scene, but be sure not to admit fault for the accident.
Seek Medical Attention
If you’re injured after car accident, it’s essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if your injuries seem minor, you should still have them evaluated by a medical professional.
Some car accident injuries, such as whiplash, may not be immediately apparent. Documenting your injuries will also be vital if you decide to file a personal injury claim.
If you wait to seek medical attention, the insurance company may argue that your injuries are not as serious as you claim. They may also try to say that your injuries were caused by something other than the car accident.
Document the Accident Scene
If you are able, take pictures of the accident scene. Be sure to get photos and videos of any damage to your vehicle, as well as any visible injuries that you or your passengers sustained. If there are any skid marks on the road, take pictures of those as well.
You should also get the contact information of any witnesses who saw the accident. These witnesses can provide valuable testimony if your case goes to trial.
If the police arrive at the scene, be sure to get a copy of the police report. This report will contain important information about the accident, such as who was at fault. If you consider suing for car accident injuries, this report will come in handy.
Avoid Posting on Social Media
In the age of social media, it’s tempting to post about your accident on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. You should resist this urge. Any information you post on social media can be used against you in a personal injury lawsuit.
For example, if you post photos of yourself after the accident and claim to have suffered serious injuries, but the photos show you smiling without any visible injuries, this could discredit your claim.
It’s also important to avoid posting the details of the accident on social media. If you speculate about who was at fault or what caused the accident, this could come back to bite you later. It’s best to avoid posting anything until you’ve spoken with an attorney.
Contact Your Insurance Company
You’ll likely need to file a claim with them, and they’ll want to know the details of what happened. It’s vital that you cooperate with your insurer, but you should avoid giving them a recorded statement about the accident.
In the statement, you might inadvertently say something that could be used against you later. You should also avoid talking to the other driver’s insurance company. If they contact you, politely decline to give a statement and refer them to your attorney.
The thing is, anything that you say in this statement can be used against you later. The insurance company may use your statement to argue that you were partially at fault for the accident.
Speak to an Attorney
After you have taken care of your immediate medical needs, you should speak to an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options and will fight to get you the compensation that you deserve.
If the insurance company offers you a settlement, do not accept it without first speaking to an attorney. The insurance company’s goal is to settle your claim for as little money as possible. An experienced attorney will be able to negotiate a much higher settlement on your behalf.
If you were ridesharing during the accident, get a copy of the trip data from the ridesharing company. This will show where you were picked up and dropped off, as well as the route that was taken. Such cases can be quite complex so learn more here about the risks of ridesharing.
Do Not Admit to Fault
Even if you think that you were partially at fault for the accident, do not say so to the other driver, the police, or the insurance company. If you admit to fault, even partially, it can be used against you later and may result in a lower settlement.
Let your attorney handle all communication with the insurance company. They’ll be able to protect your interests and ensure you receive the full amount of compensation that you’re entitled to from the car accident lawsuit.
What to Do After Car Accident
If you’re involved in a car accident, it’s important to take action to protect your legal rights. After car accident, seek medical attention as soon as possible, document the accident scene, and speak to an experienced personal injury attorney.
Also, avoid giving a statement to the other driver’s insurance company or admitting to fault. By taking these steps, you can ensure that you receive the full compensation that you’re entitled to.
Now that you know what to do after a car accident, check our blog for more tips.
