Media post: 7 Common Mistakes Made After an Auto Accident

Did you know that how you respond to an accident could impact whether you’ll receive compensation or not? It is common for car crash victims to end up with injuries, but they don’t always get the financial support they need from insurance to recover.

However, knowing the most common mistakes people make and avoiding them may be the most significant factor in getting the result you want. Check out the seven most common mistakes so you know what not to do after you find yourself in a car crash.

1. Leaving the Scene of a Crash

You are obligated by law to remain at the crash scene. Leaving a crash scene undermines your credibility, especially if you didn’t cause it. Use this time to gather evidence and if you’re unsure what to do, call your lawyer.

This could also be a safety issue. Even if you don’t immediately feel that you’ve suffered from car accident injuries, there could be an injury you haven’t yet noticed, like internal bleeding or a concussion. Quickly getting behind the wheel is not advised.

2. Not Calling the Police

Some victims falsely believe that if a car is still drivable, the police don’t need to be called.

When called to the scene, police record details regarding an accident, and this documentation can prove invaluable in an insurance claim or a potential lawsuit. Depending on where you live, you may even be required to report all accidents to local police.

3. Admitting Guilt

Understandably, you may want to resolve things as soon as possible by apologizing for what happened. Even if it’s not your fault, you may feel shame for being involved in an accident at all, which often results in over-apologizing.

Don’t admit fault — even a quick “sorry” can land you in trouble. Allow your attorneys to investigate precisely what happened and determine fault.

4. Failing to Gather Evidence

A way to get your case on a fast track is gathering as much evidence about the crash as you can. After you’ve addressed any injuries, you should do everything you can to gather evidence.

Take photos and videos of both cars, get any eyewitness accounts that you can, and note the weather and surroundings.

5. Not Visiting the Doctor

Insurance companies will seek to reduce the value of your claim by arguing that the car accident injuries are not as severe as you claim or that you were injured before the crash.

So be sure to get examined by a physician as some injuries may take long before they manifest or aren’t immediately visible. Having this official documentation immediately after the accident will significantly strengthen your claim.

6. Settling Too Quickly

Insurance companies always seek avenues to reduce their financial liabilities. One of the ways they do so is by offering quick settlements.

The first offer is not the best. Take time to build the case to show that you deserve more than they want to pay.

7. Discussing the Accident on Social Media

Insurance companies will do everything they can to pay you less for your injuries. This means gathering evidence to undermine your claims. An excellent place to find this information is on social media.

You may think you can delete posts, but everything on social media lasts forever. It just takes the insurance company’s attorney to screenshot your recent skiing trip picture, and suddenly it looks like you’re lying about your injuries. So don’t post about the accident, and stay away from social media as much as possible.

Protecting Your Insurance Claim

Now that you know the most common errors people make, you can rest assured that you know how to handle a car crash. Stay calm and do what you need to do to help your case, and you’ll find that you get the outcome you’re looking for in your settlement.