It is impossible to really mentally prepare for a car accident, as they are by definition, unexpected. Still, there are several things that people should and shouldn’t do after an accident that can make a big difference for recovery and the success of a car accident claim. If you are involved in a car accident, it is crucial to avoid these 10 mistakes people make after a car accident.
10 Mistakes People Make After a Car Accident
1. Leave the Scene Before Exchanging Information
Legally, anyone involved in an accident is required to stay at the scene at least until contact and insurance information has been exchanged. Fleeing the scene after an accident is against the law and can lead to serious consequences. The best thing to do is stay, exchange information, and check to make sure everyone involved is okay. And, if anyone might be seriously injured, call 9-1-1.
2. Forget to Call the Police
Calling police to the scene is important for accident claims, even if everyone is able to walk away. The main reason is that insurance companies often rely heavily on police reports to determine fault in the accident.
3. Admit Fault
It’s natural to be in shock after an accident. Sometimes people even feel a sense of guilt or responsibility despite the other driver’s part in the accident. But, for the sake of your accident claim, it is so important to avoid apologizing or accepting blame at the scene, as this information can be used against you during the claims process. Instead, stick to the facts and let the insurance companies determine fault based on the available evidence.
4. Forget to Document the Scene
The more documentation of the accident scene the better. Pictures of the road(s), debris from the accident, damage to vehicles, and any relevant road signs or signals are all helpful for the accident claim. Don’t forget pictures of license plates. If you are able, gather witness statements in writing or by video.
5. Forget To Gather Information
It is very important to gather information after a crash from any witnesses and all other parties involved, including drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. This information will be important to your accident claim and should be shared with your insurance company and car accident attorney.
Gather the following information:
- Name
- Address
- Cell Phone number
- Driver’s License Number
- License Plate Number
- Insurance Card and Policy Numbers
6. Fail to Seek Medical Attention
Even if you are not seriously injured enough to require emergency medical attention at the scene, it is very important to visit a medical doctor for an exam after an accident. A thorough medical evaluation can catch hidden injuries and garner pain medication, treatment plans, and referrals that can speed up recovery. Getting medical care also creates an important connection between the accident and any health problems that follow, which can be very important when making a legal claim.
7. Forget to Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company
Most insurers require their clients to report an accident to them within a few days of the accident. Failing to report your accident in a timely manner could complicate the claims process, potentially delay compensation, or even result in denial of your claim.
One thing to remember is that even though they are your insurance company, you should still not admit any amount of fault for the accident to them. Do not lie, but only share limited details until you have spoken to a car accident attorney.
8. Speak to the other Driver’s Insurance Company or Accept a Settlement Offer Without Consulting with a Personal Injury Attorney
While you are obligated to report a car accident to your own insurance company, you are under no obligation to contact or answer a call from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. It is best not to speak to them at all. If you do speak to a claims adjuster from the at-fault driver’s insurance company, do not discuss the accident or admit fault and never accept a settlement offer until you have reviewed it with your own car accident attorney.
9. Post About Your Accident or Injuries on Social Media
Anything you post on social media could be used against you to reduce or deny your accident claim so it is best to avoid posting about your accident or injuries at all. Certainly, do not post anything that could imply that you are active and healthy before your accident claim is settled.
10. Fail to Consult with a Local Car Accident Attorney As Soon as Possible After the Accident
While injured people have three years to file a car accident claim after an accident in Washington State, seeking a consultation as soon as possible is best. Often, people are overwhelmed and in pain after a car accident. Trying to deal with doctors’ appointments, file an accident claim, and negotiate a fair settlement on top of that is not easy. Experienced car accident lawyers give advice about how to proceed after an accident, calculate the true value of a claim, and know how to handle insurance industry tricks to negotiate a full and fair settlement for their clients.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney
A car accident lawyer can help you recover a full and fair settlement for the injuries you sustained in a car accident with no up-front costs to you. We know the sneaky strategies used by insurance companies to get injured people to agree to settlements far below what they are worth. Our clients typically end up with a settlement or jury award that is five to ten times larger than they could have negotiated on their own. We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County who were injured in Washington State since 1979. Contact the experienced and hard-working personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Mount Vernon, WA today for a FREE consultation!
