What Not to Do After Getting in a Car Accident
Getting into an accident is scary and it can be difficult to think through everything on the spot. Your adrenaline is pumping, which makes it hard to focus on what you need to do right after the accident. You need to make sure you are safe and unharmed, but there is also a big list of things you should not do after being involved in a car accident.
Here is a guide on what you need to not do after getting into a car accident:
Do Not Panic
It is important to try to remain calm. First make sure you are unharmed, then check on the other passengers in your car and in the vehicle that struck you. Pull over to the side of the road when it’s safe, and take a deep breath before getting out of the vehicle to check for damages. It is important to stay calm so that you can think clearly throughout the rest of the process.
Do Not Admit Fault
You should never admit fault in an accident. This is for you and your lawyer to decide after the fact. There may have been issues with the other driver, even if in the moment you feel that you may have been partially at fault for the accident. Or, there could have been external factors — like bad weather or sudden traffic — that caused the accident. You need to discuss the events with an experienced attorney before talking to anyone else about the accident. You can exchange insurance information with the other driver, but decline to speak with him or her and police officers until you have a lawyer present.
Do Not Speak with Insurance Agents
If an insurance agent calls you to go over the details of the accident, decline to speak with them until you have an attorney who can guide you. Insurance companies are a business and want to give out as little as possible. The agents are trained to try to give out as little compensation as possible, or find fault in your case so that they do not owe you anything. It is important to refrain from speaking with insurance until you know what your attorney will advise you to say.
Do Not Neglect Your Injuries
You may feel a little sore after being in a car accident, but do not write this off as a minor injury. Whiplash is incredibly common after getting in a car crash, and you may have sustained more serious injuries that are lurking beneath the surface of the shock you feel after the crash. A skilled doctor will know what to look for, and will make a note in your chart that you were in a car accident that could have caused other injuries.
Do Not Hesitate to Contact a Lawyer
One thing you need to do right after being in a car accident is contact an experienced lawyer, like a car accident lawyer from Cohen & Cohen Attorneys. He or she will be able to look at all the little details that surround your accident and determine who was at fault. Your attorney will also make sure you meet any necessary deadlines and try to get compensation for anything you deserve. Do not wait — contact a lawyer today. You want to get started immediately so that you have representation throughout the entire process.