Being involved in a car accident can be extremely overwhelming. Quite often, being involved in a car accident entails having to go to the hospital for medical treatment, dealing with the loss of a vehicle, and being burdened by stacking medical bills and expenses while you are forced out of work to recover.
To make matters even worse, accident victims are often forced to deal with paperwork, scheduling repairs, and numerous other headaches while trying to recover quickly from injuries. Adding in the legal and insurance battles amplifies the stress of the situation to another level.
The justice system of the United States provides individuals injured in car accidents a legal path toward collecting compensation for injuries and damages they sustain in the accident. Unfortunately, not everyone is aware of what is required of them to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible.
Numerous individuals involved in car accidents are in a hurry to get the medical attention they need that they often go without performing critical tasks necessary to protect themselves in the court of law. Individuals regularly perform common mistakes after accidents that lessen their opportunities to receive fair and full compensation for their accidents. Today, we will highlight some of the most common mistakes that hurt injured claimants in automobile accidents. Although you may not be able to avoid all of them, being aware can help you respond appropriately in the aftermath of an accident.
Do Not Leave The Scene Of The Accident Too Quickly
If you are ever involved in a car accident, it is crucial that you do not leave the scene of the accident too quickly. Doing so could result in the loss of critical information that can help your legal claim down the road. It is crucial that you remain at the scene and collect as much evidence as possible.
You will want to take photographs of all vehicles involved and highlight the damages sustained on each. Taking photographs up close of damage will show the damage more extensively while photographs taken from a distance, showing the entire scene of the accident, will help determine fault and provide critical details about the weather and road conditions.
It is important that you collect information from all other drivers. You will want to collect their names, telephone numbers, and insurance information. It may also help to write down the make, model, and year of the vehicles. If there are any witnesses to the accident, write down the names and contact information for them in case you need to gather statements or testimony to support your claim.
Be Sure To File A Police Report
Not filing a police report is one of the biggest mistakes drivers can make. Most insurance companies require police reports in order to assist them throughout the claims process. Not only does a police report help make the insurance claims process quicker and easier, but it can help bolster a legal argument. Even if the accident is minor or trivial, it is crucial to contact the police and have them come to the scene of the crime and write an accident report. Police paperwork can make an enormous difference in your abilities to collect compensation for your injuries in court.
Do Not Admit Fault Or Dismiss The Accident For Lack Of Damage
It is crucial to refrain from taking any fault for the accident or saying that you are physically unharmed. There are several factors taken into consideration when evaluating a car accident, most of which drivers are unaware of. Admitting fault prematurely can jeopardize your chances of collecting compensation for injuries at a later time.
Furthermore, stating that you are unharmed can make it difficult to collect compensation for unseen injuries. A lot of individuals in automobile accidents suffer “hidden” injuries, like organ damage, neck sprains, or even back injuries that may not be readily apparent. It is critical to obtain a full medical evaluation after an accident no matter how minor the accident seems.
Make Sure You Do Not Have Any Outstanding Or Past Auto Cases Against You
Although this is not typically something, you can avoid, having a history of past auto accidents can make recovering compensation for a new accident an uphill battle. It is crucial to resolve any legal actions surrounding separate auto accidents as soon as possible. Hiring an automobile accident to assist you in the legal process will greatly benefit you. Not only can a reputable lawyer help you resolve past cases, but they can take over your new claim and assist you throughout the legal process.
Do Not Suffer From A Lack Of Evidence
The evidence is, by far, a major factor in recovering a full and fair amount of compensation for your automobile accident. Rushing off the scene of the accident too quickly can result in the loss of critical information about your accident, damages, and injuries. Instead, take the time to gather witness information, other driver’s information, and photographs of vehicles and the scene of the accident. If possible, check businesses and nearby buildings to see if they have any video surveillance cameras set up that may have captured the accident.
Hiring A Car Accident Lawyer in Salt Lake City Can Help You Succeed
If you are ever involved in an automobile accident, it is critical to respond appropriately to recover compensation for injuries and damages you sustained. Gathering evidence, contacting the police, seeking medical attention, and hiring an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney are just some of the ways you can protect yourself during this stressful time.
Although mistakes happen, it is crucial to know what common mistakes are made following accidents to take precautions to ensure they do not happen to you whenever possible. Being able to avoid these mistakes will help your case resolve quicker and with a more successful outcome. Even if you made any of these mistakes, it is still very possible to succeed in your automobile claim. An experienced lawyer from Siegfried & Jensen will be able to overcome most of these issues and obtain a favorable resolution to your auto case.
Content checked by personal injury attorney Todd Bradford. I worked for a small law firm in Utah County, where I handled various types of cases. My main focus was personal injury and I decided that is what I enjoyed doing the most. I rejoined Siegfried and Jensen in 2012 where my focus is solely on helping personal injury clients. I take pride in helping personal injury clients and enjoy serving them. If you need an attorney for auto accidents or injuries of any kind in Salt Lake City, UT, Ogden, UT, Spokane, WA, or Boise, ID, contact us.
