10 Mistakes to Avoid After an Auto Accident

1. Not Calling Police – Forgetting or choosing not to call the police after an accident can have a negative impact on your personal injury claim, should you choose to file one. By contacting police, you can obtain a report from an objective third party that records details and statements about the incident. Remember, don’t discuss or admit fault when providing your statement to police. There may be other circumstances involved you don’t know about.
2. Not Exchanging Information – You should always exchange information with other drivers and witnesses
   after an accident. You can collect the following information: contact
   information of all drivers or witnesses, license plate numbers, driver’s
   license information, insurance information, and descriptions of the involved vehicles.
3. Not Getting Timely Medical Treatment – After an accident, adrenalin may prevent you from understanding the full
   extent of your injuries. In some cases, you may simply not feel pain until
   some time passes. When you seek medical treatment as soon as possible,
   you can ensure your health and well-being is protected and that you have
   documented evidence of your injuries if you choose to file a
   personal injury lawsuit.
4. Not Collecting Evidence – Gathering evidence at the scene of an accident, if you are able to so,
   can help support your side of the story when you file a personal injury
   claim. Do what you can to talk to any witnesses and get their information.
   You can also use your phone to take photos or videos of the accident scene,
   vehicle damage, roadway conditions, and visible injuries.
5. Trusting the Insurance Company – Insurance companies do not have your best interests in mind. They are in
   business to collect premiums, not to payout claims. The other driver’s
   insurance company will likely contact you soon after an accident. Be wary
   of low-ball settlement offers or attempts to avoid paying anything at
   all. To protect yourself, you can speak with a lawyer first.
6. Not Getting Treatment for Serious Injuries – For one reason or another, many people involved in auto accidents are
   reluctant to seek medical treatment – often because they think they can
   take care or it themselves or that the pain will go away. It’s important
   to remember that even small symptoms – like numbness or radiating pain
   – could indicate more serious problems. Whatever your symptoms may be,
   it is crucial to seek treatment and follow up with your doctor until pain
   is resolved.
7. Not Learning About Your Rights – Understanding your legal rights can help you as you begin to pursue compensation
   for your losses following an accident. Although every case is unique,
   victims harmed by the negligent or wrongful acts of others have the right
   to recover various damages resulting from the accident, including medical
   bills, lost work wages, pain and suffering, emotional injuries, and more.
8. Waiting Too Long to File a Claim – It becomes your responsibility to take swift action to protect your rights
   after an accident because there is a limited amount of time to file a
   claim. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations. Aside from
   avoiding this time limit, taking immediate action to file a claim can
   benefit your claim and give your attorney plenty of time to build a strong case.
9. Being Too Quick to Accept a Settlement – Whether it’s because they are not familiar with their rights or
   the value of their claim, or because they don’t have legal representation,
   far too many auto accident victims settle too quickly with the insurance
   company. Remember, insurance companies do everything they can to pay as
   little as possible. Being too quick to settle your claim can result in
   you receiving less than you need and deserve.
10. Not Speaking With a Lawyer – One of the biggest mistakes people make after an auto accident is to not
    discuss their case with an experienced attorney. A personal injury can
    evaluate your situation in relation to the law, and help you understand
    your rights and whether you are entitled to compensation. Proven lawyers
    can also fight to ensure you secure full and fair compensation for your
    damages. Ultimately, having a seasoned lawyer on your side could make
    the difference in your case.

Taking the right steps after an
auto accident can be of great benefit to your personal injury claim. No matter what
happens after an accident, however, speaking with a lawyer about your
case can put you in the best position to recover full and fair compensation
for your losses. At Suzuki Law Offices, our attorneys are available
to review your case free of charge.

For more information about car accidents, personal injury claims, and how
our firm may be able to help you,
contact us for a FREE consultation.