Car accidents are a common occurring. While other articles may tell you what should be done immediately after a car accident, there are 7 most important mistakes that may leave you in a major legal problem and should be avoided at all cost:
Leave The Accident Scene:
One of the most common mistakes that people do after an accident is to leave the scene. While you may think that this move will save you, chances are you might be charged with penalties for damaging a property or even man slaughtering.
Therefore, whenever there is a human injury or property damage involved, you should call 911 or wait until the police arrives.
Say That It Was Your Fault:
You might be thinking of being honest throughout the scene. Saying phrases like “It was all my fault” or “I should have been careful” may be used against you in two scenarios:
- By attorney of the other party to file a case against you.
- By insurance company to avoid paying you.
Be honest and confident with factual evidences. Using bizarre expressions like “it might be possible” or I think” may also cause you problem.
Avoid Filing Your Case:
No matter how small the damages maybe, you deserve compensation. If you don’t file a lawsuit, the other party may take the advantage and place charges against you. That is why, it is extremely important that you file a case as soon as possible after an accident.
Not Documenting The Details:
Never file your case with incomplete information. You should even take pictures of the accident site if you have camera available. While you should collect as much detail as possible and note down the following points:
- Time and site of the accident.
- Weather conditions.
- Name and contact details of the offender.
- License number of the car.
Discuss Accident With The Offender’s Attorney:
The other party who was involved in the accident will try to accuse you of every possible charge. If you ever discuss your case with their lawyer or insurance company, they might use those statement against you. That is why you should never, ever discuss the accident with the other party.
Accepting Unfair Settlement:
Do not ever agree with the agreement of the insurance company of the other party. They will try to settle you for less amount and you might not even know that they are settling you in an unfair agreement as you would not be familiar with the legal matters.
File Your Case Without A Lawyer:
Whether it’s filing your case or consulting an insurance company, you should never do it without a lawyer. Legal matters are very complicated and you can easily get trapped if you don’t have enough knowledge about the settling and compensation.
Therefore, always seek a legal advice from a professional lawyer in case you ever encounter a car accident.
