2 Mistakes You Should Never Make Directly After Being Involved In A Car Accident
Posted on: 30 October 2019
Right after being involved in a car accident, a lot of emotions and thoughts may be running through your mind. It can be difficult to think clearly while you try to process what just happened. However, even though your mind may be a jumbled mess, there are a couple of things that you should not do directly after the accident that could hurt your chances of being compensated for any damages and injuries, especially if you were not at fault.
1. Discussing the Accident with the Other Driver
When the accident first happens, you may be tempted to either yell at the other driver or talk about the incident with them. However, if you say too much, you may inadvertently imply that you were somehow guilty of the accident.
Any statements you make to the other driver, especially if witnessed by onlookers, passengers, and especially the police, could be used to either deny your claim or even have the blame placed on you. Either way, you will either lose money or end up having to pay.
The only communication that you should have with the other driver after the accident is to get their details. Ask them for their name, address, and insurance information, and do not talk at all about the accident.
2. Neglecting to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
When your adrenaline is pumping after an accident, your body does not feel pain as intensely as when you are calm. You may know that you are hurt, but you may not believe that you are injured badly. Because of this, you may decline to be taken to the emergency room after the accident. However, this is a bad idea for a couple of reasons.
First, a few hours after the incident, you may start to realize that you are hurt worse than you initially expected, especially after the adrenaline rush wears off. Any activity that you take in between this time could make your condition worse.
Second, if you do not seek immediate medical attention, the other driver's insurance company and lawyer could try to claim that the injuries were sustained after the accident. It is better to have the injuries documented by a doctor as soon as possible after the accident to avoid this scenario.
Although your emotions may be high and your adrenaline is pumping right after a car accident, you need to keep a clear head and make sure that you do not say or do anything that could jeopardize any claim you file. As soon as possible after the accident, contact a car accident attorney to discuss your case.
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