No one wants to be involved in a car accident, but if you’re a regular driver, there’s a strong chance you’ll be involved in one at some point in your life. If you’ve been involved in an accident and want to seek compensation, what you do next will be extremely important. It could make a world of difference on how much you can expect to get, or if you even have a valid case to begin with.
You should also get informed about the laws in your state so you know what to expect as far as compensation goes. That’s if you can get anything at all. Here are some of the worst things you could do following an accident.
1. Assuming that You Don’t Have a Case
If you’re partially at fault, you might want to avoid suing other parties either because you assume that you don’t have a case or because you don’t want to get into further trouble. However, you have to know what type of state you’re in as you may still be able to get compensated.
There are some states where you could still take action against other parties. These are referred to as comparative fault states. Your amount of responsibility in the accident will be determined by a judge, and this is what will determine in part how high of a judgment you should get.
2. Not Documenting the Scene Enough
If you want to know how to make sure you get compensated after a car accident, you need to have as much information on the scene as possible. You need to take as much footage as you can, and also get some testimonies from the people who were there.
Try to document anything that could show the road conditions at that time, or things that would have contributed to the accident, such as missing road signs, for instance. You could find out that other parties were responsible and that they could be held liable.
3. Fleeing the Scene
Fleeing the scene of an accident even if no one was present is not only a mistake, but you could end in jail depending on where you are. If you caused damage to someone’s property, like a parked vehicle, for instance, it is your responsibility to wait until the person arrives. If no one comes, you have to leave a note with your name, address, phone number, and explanation for the accident. Leaving your insurance information could also be a good idea.
4. Underestimating Your Injuries
Another mistake you shouldn’t make is not consulting a doctor right away. Not doing so may reflect poorly on your case later on. It’s also essential that you follow everything that your doctor says to the letter. If you neglect their advice or constantly miss appointments, then it will show that your injuries are not as bad as you claim.
These are all things you should avoid at all costs following a car accident. Avoiding these and finding an accident attorney will help you stay out of trouble and maximize any compensation you may be able to get.
