Over 37,000 people die in car crashes every year in the United States. And there are over 2 million injuries and disabilities that occur because of accidents on the road. That’s why it’s so common for people to consider suing after a car accident.
In fact, road crashes are the leading cause of death in people ages 15-29. With the population rising, driving can only become more dangerous. But in addition to following driving rules and regulations, there are other ways you can protect yourself on the road. For one thing, make sure that you have insurance.
In 2015, 13% of motorists in the United States were uninsured. And that statistic is solely based on insurance claims, so it could be even higher.
Either way, if you’re in a car crash, it’s essential that you don’t do anything to hurt your case. Even if you feel ok in the moment, injuries and pain typically can become apparent hours later.
Keep reading to find out 7 mistakes you should absolutely avoid, should you find yourself in a collision on the road.
1. Avoiding the Police
A police report could make or break your case, especially if you were not at fault. Even though you might be tempted not to file a police report, not doing so could hurt your case later when the person you were in an accident with, denies everything.
If you end up filing a personal injury claim, having a police report to use as evidence can be more helpful than having a witness.
2. Not Seeking Immediate Medical Attention
If you’ve been in a bad accident, or you feel the slightest amount of pain, you should seek immediate medical attention. Even if you don’t feel any pain after a fender bender, you could end up feeling pain later.
Right after an accident, your body is in shock and your endorphins are high. You might not realize that your neck being whipped around caused injury. You might not realize that your head hit the dashboard pretty hard and you’ll be left with a throbbing headache later on.
It’s very possible that you’ll be left with a legitimate injury after your fender bender and it could turn into a car accident lawsuit. The best thing you can do for your health and your potential case is to seek medical attention either right after the accident or within 24 hours, at the very least.
3. Not Documenting What Happened
If you end up being one of the many Americans who experiences a lawsuit after a car accident, you’ll need documentation of what happened in your crash.
Even if you don’t end up needing a lawyer, you should still document the entire crash. Take photos of both cars, including license plates. Take photos of any traffic lights and take note of any cameras that may have captured the accident.
Make sure you take photos of your injuries and continue to document them throughout your healing process.
4. Not Contacting an Attorney Immediately
If you can, you should contact your attorney or an attorney before anyone else. Even though may think you can do it on your own, having an attorney by your side every step of the way is how’ll you get the compensation that you deserve.
If you do end up contacting your insurance before you speak to an attorney, try not to make any statements or agreements before discussing it with your attorney first. Getting into a car accident can be extremely stressful and time-consuming.
If your car is damaged or you are injured, it can seriously affect your life, your work, and your bank account. Hiring an attorney will help alleviate a huge portion of that stress as they’ll handle your claim every step of the way. They’ll navigate the laws and how they affect your claim, and they’ll get the best possible compensation for you.
Want to know how to find the best lawyer for the case? Check out our blog on how you can find the best lawyer for your case, today.
5. Missing Doctor’s Appointments
If you’ve suffered an injury, and you have regular doctor’s appointments to address and heal that injury, do not skip them.
Missing doctors appointments will challenge the validity of your injuries and weaken your case.
6. Posting on Social Media
Even though it might be tempting to share with your world the fender bender that has you shaking, don’t do it. Do not post about your accident or your injuries as those posts can be used against you in a case.
The best thing you can do is to stop using those platforms until your case is settled. Maybe you’ve been in a lot of pain, seeing a doctor for therapy, and work has been harder than usual. You decide to fight the pain and go for a hike with your friend. Don’t post anything about it. It could implicate your case and make it look like your injury isn’t as bad as you claim it to be.
7. Accepting a Quick Payout
It might be tempting to accept the first offer. But don’t. You have no idea how long your injuries may take to heal or continue to affect your life. Protect your future and your body and let the law professional do their due diligence to get you the compensation you deserve.
Suing After a Car Accident Can Be a Tough Decision
Making the move toward suing after a car accident might seem daunting, but it’s not. Car accidents are stressful, and painful, and can set you back a pretty penny.
It makes sense that should you endure this inevitable suffering because of someone else’s neglect or bad decision, you should get the compensation that you deserve. Injuries can make otherwise everyday simplicities all of a sudden hard. Furthermore, the trauma of a bad accident can stay with you for years to come.
That’s why the best thing you can do if you get into an accident, is to call a lawyer who will help you every step of the way. Give us a call for a FREE case consultation today.
