A car accident can turn your life upside down in a heartbeat, but the crucial actions you take following an accident can impact your life and the compensation you are entitled to. Even the smallest missteps or words spoken while you are extremely upset or injured can harm your claim and make it more challenging to receive the settlement you deserve. Understanding drivers' common mistakes after an accident can keep you from making those mistakes and protect your rights. If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident and need legal guidance, you can count on Freeburn Law. Freeburn Law is a leading accident and personal injury firm serving communities throughout central Pennsylvania.
Mistake #1: Failing to Seek Medical Attention Immediately
When seeking medical attention immediately after a car accident, you’re taking the most vital steps in your claim, protecting your health and creating an official record of your injuries, tying them directly to the crash. Failing to seek medical attention immediately after an accident, even if your injuries seem minor, is one of the costliest mistakes someone can make. If there is any delay in treatment, not only can it put your health at risk, but insurance companies and opposing attorneys can point to the gap to suggest that your injuries weren’t severe or that they were unrelated to the accident. Taking this step shows that you value your physical health and are serious about holding the responsible parties accountable for their negligence that caused you or your loved ones harm.
Mistake #2: Admitting Fault at the Scene
Anything you say at the scene of the crash can later be used by the other driver’s insurance company or legal team to argue that you’re responsible despite any evidence that says otherwise. Admitting fault at the scene, even accidentally by giving remorseful statements or apologizing for anything can be interpreted as an admission of liability. By jumping to conclusions about liability or speaking emotionally at the scene, you can unintentionally make the second biggest mistake a driver can make after an accident. Instead of apologizing or admitting fault, stick to factual statements when speaking at the scene and avoid discussing why or how the collision happened. Fault is something that should be determined through a thorough investigation to protect your rights and any case to hold those parties accountable.
Mistake #3: Not Gathering Sufficient Evidence
Failing to gather sufficient evidence after a car accident is a mistake that can severely weaken your claim and place unnecessary hurdles in front of your legal team in order to secure the compensation that you deserve. After a car accident, collecting information supporting your case and establishing that the fault doesn’t lie with you is crucial.
Evidence you can gather to help your claim:
- Photos: Vehicles involved, road conditions, and skid marks
- Contact information: From any drivers, passengers, and witnesses
- Witness statements: Witnesses can provide vital observations while it is fresh in their mind
- Police reports: Information such as badge numbers and report numbers
Without this documentation, your case may rely solely on verbal accounts, which can easily be challenged by other driver’s legal teams.
Mistake #4: Delaying the Filing of Your Claim
Time is one of the most significant factors in building a strong case, and waiting too long can negatively impact your success in receiving compensation for your injuries and damages. You could miss the statute of limitations for seeking compensation, no matter how valid your claim. Beyond missing any vital legal deadlines, procrastinating on filing your claim can weaken the evidence needed to support your case. The longer you wait, the less impact any evidence has on the outcome of your case, and opposing parties will use the lapse to reduce or even eliminate the compensation you’re owed.
Mistake #5: Settling Too Quickly or Without Legal Counsel
Insurance companies often act swiftly to offer low settlement amounts in the hopes that drivers will accept before they fully understand the extent of their injuries or damages. While these quick offers might be tempting, accepting a payout too soon could leave you without the compensation that would cover the long-term and unforeseen costs related to the accident.
With proper legal guidance, you can ensure that the compensation accounts for the non-economic damages, future medical care, and potential lost income. Being patient after an accident and ensuring that you have experienced legal representation will keep you from being taken advantage of when you are facing financial burdens after an accident.
Personal Injury Claim Tips to Keep in Mind
Surviving a car accident can be one of the most distressing experiences of someone’s life, and the steps you take after a car accident are crucial to the success of any compensation claims that you want to file. While seeking prompt medical attention and hiring an experienced car accident attorney is the best thing to ensure a successful claim, you can continue to take necessary steps after the initial crash that can help strengthen your claim.
Besides medical care, gathering evidence and monitoring your recovery will significantly benefit your case. Clear documentation, such as photos of injuries and written records of how your daily life is affected, creates a strong foundation for proving the extent of your damages. Proper preparation and legal support from Freeburn Law can make all the difference in securing the compensation you need to recover emotionally, physically, and financially.
The Value of Hiring an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
Making mistakes after a car accident can affect and impact your life unexpectedly. Failing to gather evidence, delaying filing a claim, or settling too quickly without understanding the actual value of your case can lead to significant financial strain, especially if medical bills or lost wages pile up. Neglecting to document your injuries or consult legal support leaves you vulnerable to low settlements, possibly forcing you to cover ongoing costs out of pocket.
By taking proactive steps and seeking the right help, such as with Freeburn Law, you can safeguard your future and ensure you’re treated fairly during the process of rebuilding after an accident. Our attorneys at Freeburn Law will never settle for anything less than the true and complete value of your claim. We want to fight for you and the compensation that you deserve so you can focus on healing. Contact us today to have the legal guidance you need as you take the next crucial steps after a car accident.
