February 16, 2022

What Are Common Mistakes to Avoid after a Car Accident?

After a car accident, you may be confused, frustrated, angry, and may even be injured. You have so many things rushing through your mind that you may not know what to do or say next.

 

Saying or doing the wrong thing can hurt your chances of getting the compensation you need to get better after your accident. Here is a brief discussion of the most common mistakes to avoid after a car accident.

 

Not Filing a Police Report

 

After an accident, you need to have a record of what occurred. The best way to do that is to get the police involved. An at-fault driver may try to convince you that you do not need to call the police, especially if no one has been injured. Do not listen to them.

 

Call the police and have them come to the accident scene. They will speak with you, the other driver, and any witnesses. They will compile this information in a police report. and although they may not assign fault, this report will provide details about the accident. This information can prove invaluable when you need to show that you did not cause the accident.

 

Not Letting Medical Personnel Evaluate You

 

Even if you do not feel injured, you may have injuries that need medical attention. Right after a car accident, your adrenaline is running high and that can mask pain that you would otherwise feel.

 

Do not refuse medical attention. You may have serious injuries that you cannot feel, and medical personnel need to evaluate you to give you proper care. If your injuries are serious enough, they may need to take you to the hospital.

 

Even if you receive medical care at the accident scene, you should still see your regular doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor has extensive medical records and knowledge about your prior health. They can evaluate you and determine how your injuries have impacted your life and your ability to participate in life events.

 

Talking Freely to the Insurance Company

 

Many people mistakenly believe their insurance company always has their best interests at heart. The biggest goal of the insurance company is to settle the issue as quickly and cheaply as possible. That means if they can find a way to blame you for the accident, they will not have to pay out your claim.

 

That is why speaking with an insurance company right after your accident can be a mistake. Even seemingly innocent statements such as “I looked down for a second” can be used to hold you partially responsible for the accident and deny your claim. Avoid speaking with any insurance company and let your lawyer handle those conversations for you.

 

Posting on Social Media

 

Your insurance company or the insurance company of the at-fault driver will also stalk you after you file a claim. For example, if you state in your claim that you have a foot injury that needs time to heal before you go back to work but you post a picture of yourself playing basketball on social media, the insurance company will find that picture and they will use it to deny your claim.

 

You should also avoid discussing your accident on social media. You could inadvertently write something that could be taken as you admitting fault for the accident. It is best to simply avoid discussing your accident or posting pictures on social media until everything is resolved.

 

Settling Too Fast

 

If the at-fault driver’s insurance company admits their insured was to blame for your accident, they may try to settle your claim quickly. You may see this as a good thing because you can get the money you need to cover your medical expenses, car repairs, and lost income.

 

Unfortunately, the insurance company is unlikely to make you an initial offer that covers all your financial needs. They are most likely to offer you a modest settlement that they hope you take so they can settle your claim for less than it is worth. This is another reason why you should partner with an aggressive legal team who can handle these negotiations for you and work to get you every dollar you need.

 

Not Speaking with a Lawyer

 

Too many drivers think they do not need a lawyer to help them get the money they need after a car accident. Unfortunately, that leaves them shouldering the financial burden of someone else’s negligence.

 

A lawyer may be able to help you get compensation for:

 

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Lost income
• Lost earning potential
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of life enjoyment
• Present and future medical expenses
• Rehabilitation costs

 

You need to have a skilled legal advocate fighting to protect your rights so that you can focus on your physical recovery. Even minor injuries can come with massive medical expenses and a great deal of time out of work. Each of these things contributes substantially to a financial strain on you. However, this should not be your burden to bear. It should be the sole responsibility of the negligent driver. With the right legal team at your side, you can focus on getting better, knowing that your legal team is fighting to get you fair compensation.

 

Montgomery County Car Accident Lawyers at Anthony C. Gagliano III, P.C., Help Clients Handle Their Car Accident

 

The steps you take after a car accident are crucial to your ability to hold the negligent driver accountable for your injuries. The most important of those steps is making sure you partner with an experienced and trusted car accident lawyer who will work diligently to try to collect appropriate compensation for you. Speak with the Montgomery County car accident lawyers at Anthony C. Gagliano III, P.C., today. Call us at 267-861-7100 or visit our website to set up a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, we serve clients in Philadelphia, Montgomery County, Delaware County, Bucks County, Chester County, and Norristown.