Few things are more jarring than being involved in a car accident, especially one that wasn’t your fault and seemingly happened out of nowhere. Because these accidents tend to leave victims in a state of shock, they sometimes make mistakes that can prove detrimental to their chances of winning a personal injury claim at a later date. That said, you should read on and reach out to a seasoned Jacksonville car accident lawyer to learn more about some of the most important mistakes to avoid after a car accident.
Five Critical Mistakes to Avoid After a Car Accident
The five most important mistakes to avoid after your accident are as follows:
- Leaving the scene of the accident. This is the absolute worst thing anyone can do after a car accident. Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime, even if the other driver caused the accident. Leaving the scene of the accident can drastically hurt your chances of ever recovering compensation.
- Not calling the police. The very first thing you should do after a car accident is call the police. Not only will the police write up an accident report, formally documenting the accident and how it happened, but they can also send emergency medical services to the scene of the accident so you can have your injuries promptly treated.
- Failing to get the other driver’s insurance information. This is a huge mistake. After an accident, you should take pictures of the other driver’s license plate immediately (in case they try to drive away) and you should also ask the other driver for his or her insurance information. You can simply snap photos of it instead of trying to write it all down in the heat of the moment. Keep in mind that you should also never say “sorry,” at this point, even just out of politeness. This can be misconstrued as admitting fault.
- Failing to seek medical attention. You should always receive medical treatment on the same day of your accident. Some injuries take days, or even weeks to set in, so whether you feel injured or not, you should make it a point to get medical attention and keep copies of all medical documentation and bills associated with your injury.
- Not hiring an attorney. If you’re seeking compensation for an accident that wasn’t your fault, you should never do so without an attorney. A competent lawyer can negotiate with insurance companies for the best settlement possible, or, in cases where insurance companies refuse to budge, take your case to trial and fight for the maximum compensation on your behalf.
If you have any further questions or believe you have a valid personal injury claim, pick up the phone and give us a call or contact us online today. We are here to help in any way we can.
