What Not To Do After A Car Accident

A car crash can be a scary event, especially if your entire family is involved. Even a minor accident can leave you frazzled. You might just want to hurry through the process and get on with your life.

However, you need to make sure you follow the right processes after you’re involved in a car accident. Otherwise, you could lose out on your rights to compensation and even break the law. You also want to know what actions you should avoid doing. Here’s what not to do after getting into a car crash.

Leave the Accident Scene 

You barely clipped the car in front of you. Nobody is hurt and the car barely has a scratch. You may think this gives you the right to drive away, but this would be the wrong thing to do. In fact, it is also illegal. This is called hit and run and depending on the severity of the accident, you could be charged with a felony. You always want to stop and check to make sure everyone is OK, no matter how minor the accident may seem. 

Forget to Exchange Information 

After an accident, you’ll need the insurance information as well as contact information of all those involved. Don’t forget to get the following: 

• Name
• Address
• Phone number
• Driver’s license number
• License plate number
• Name of their auto insurer
• Insurance policy number

You’ll need this information to file a claim with your insurance company and receive compensation, since the insurer needs to know who to hold liable.

Admit Guilt

Even if you’re pretty sure you were the one who caused the accident, never admit fault. You could be wrong. An investigation or police report could show that the other driver actually broke a law and was liable for the accident. Therefore, you should never assume.

Be careful of what you say because even saying “I’m sorry” can be construed as an admission of guilt. Therefore, after an accident, keep your mouth shut and only say the bare minimum. Once your admission is caught on tape, you are considered liable and you may not receive any compensation for your injuries, so there’s a lot at stake.

Fail to See a Doctor

Even if you feel fine, you should never skip a visit to the doctor. An accident can hide injuries due to the shock involved. You could be seriously injured and not even know it. Therefore, it’s crucial to see a doctor right away. If you are injured and you wait too long to notify your insurance company, they may think you’re faking it and deny your claim.

Contact Us Today

A car accident can leave you disoriented. You may feel stressed out and panicked, which can cause you to lose your call or forget to do things that you should if you want to get the most compensation possible for your accident case.

The Florida car accident attorneys at Meldon Law can help you understand your legal rights after a car accident. Schedule a free consultation by filling out the online form or calling us 24/7 at (800) 373-3000. We have three offices to serve you: Gainesville, Ocala, and Fort Lauderdale.

Resource:

auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/accidents-hazardous-conditions/5-things-after-car-accident.htm