It can be challenging to remain calm and collected after a car accident, but it’s essential to try all the same. You may be injured and feeling scared, angry, or upset, but you also have to think about your future. You might be concerned about how you’ll pay for medical care or repair your vehicle. If you have to miss work, how will you cover your living expenses?
If you take the wrong steps after a car accident, getting the money you deserve to make up for these losses will likely be much more challenging. Here are six crucial mistakes to avoid if you want to maximize your compensation after an accident, based on our decades of experience as car accident lawyers:
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Not Seeking Immediate Medical Attention
Seeking medical attention as soon as possible after a car accident is essential for two key reasons. First and foremost, you may have suffered severe injuries that could worsen without rapid treatment and could even prove fatal. Even if you feel fine after an accident, you may have internal injuries that haven’t manifested, so don’t take any chances. See a doctor as soon as you can.
Second, seeing a doctor as quickly as possible demonstrates that your injuries are severe and you are taking every possible precaution. Your doctor can document all your injuries from the accident, which will be helpful when you’re pursuing compensation. Not seeing a doctor, especially if you return to work after an accident, might make it look like your injuries aren’t that serious. This can make it more difficult to recover any compensation for your injuries.
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Leaving the Scene of the Accident
When considering what not to do in a car accident, leaving the scene is at the top of the list. You never want to leave the scene of the crash before police and emergency medical personnel have arrived. If there’s any question about who’s at fault for the accident, leaving the scene could make you look guilty and like you have something to hide. Additionally, you want to make sure you get your side of the story on the record, and that the police file an accident report. Furthermore, leaving the scene of an accident with injuries can subject you to criminal charges.
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Admitting Fault
It’s fine to be polite when talking to other people involved in an accident, but you want to avoid saying “I’m sorry” or anything else that could be taken as an admission of guilt. If it looks like you’ve admitted fault for the crash, it will be that much harder to get fair compensation for the losses you’ve suffered.
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Not Gathering Evidence at the Scene
Evidence from the accident scene is often crucial for your case. Take pictures of the damage to any vehicles involved, the injuries you’ve sustained, the area surrounding the crash, and other relevant information. Also, be sure to get the names and contact information from any eyewitnesses.
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Accepting the First Settlement Offer
In the days immediately after the accident, you may receive an offer for a quick settlement from the other driver’s insurance company. The insurance company knows you probably have expensive medical bills and want to resolve the case as quickly as possible. However, whatever offer you get is most likely not enough to cover the full extent of the harm you’ve suffered. Never accept an insurance settlement without speaking to an attorney first.
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Not Hiring a Car Accident Attorney
Between your medical bills and other expenses, the costs of a car accident can add up quickly. A traffic collision lawyer can help you file a claim for compensation and make sure your claim includes the full amount of the losses you’ve suffered. A lawyer can also be your advocate when it comes to negotiating with insurance companies.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Oklahoma, Ryan, Bisher, Ryan & Simons can help. We have been in business for more than 35 years and are solely personal injury lawyers. We know what it takes to obtain the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for your free initial consultation.
We are Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons, a legal firm that, for decades, has been fighting for the rights of hardworking Oklahoma residents. Our mission is to hold the powerful accountable.
