Driving a car is a daily task for many people. In general, driving is safe as most drives are cautious and attentive when behind the wheel. Unfortunately, accidents can happen from time to time. If you are involved in an accident, following the right process is very important as it can ensure you receive the right compensation and support for any losses you incur. To ensure you receive the best outcome possible, there are several things you should never do following an accident.
Leave the Scene
The worst thing you can do following any type of accident is to leave the scene after it occurs. If you are at fault in an accident and leave the scene, you will be committing a serious crime. Even if you are not at fault in the accident, leaving the scene could make you look guilty and may effectively waive your right to reimbursement for damages you incur. Due to this, you should always safely pull off to the side of the road and meet with the other driver involved in the accident.
Avoid Documenting Accident
While some accidents can be clearly significant, others may seem minimal and not need proper documentation. However, it is never completely clear if there are injuries or vehicle damage that are not apparent. Due to this, you should always make sure you document the accident as well as possible. This will include taking photos, getting contact and insurance information from the other driver, contacting the police to have a report filled out, and getting names and contact information from witnesses. This way, you will have proper documentation if the ultimate damage in an accident seems to be more significant than it initially seems.
Assume Vehicle is in Fine
You should also never assume that your vehicle is fine after an accident. In many cases, the vehicle you are driving may only receive a small bump that will do minimal obvious damage. While it may seem inconsequential at the time, there could be more serious underlying damage to your vehicle that you may not be aware of right away. Due to this, taking your vehicle to a mechanic for an inspection is always a good idea. Ideally, you should take it to one that is approved by the insurance companies as it could help you avoid some complications. This way, you will know for sure that your vehicle does not have any issues before you settle the accident.
Ignore Injuries
While it is important to make sure that your vehicle is in good condition, you also need to ensure you are not injured. After an accident, it is always a bad idea to ignore injuries. If you are feeling pain, ill, or discomfort following an accident you should seek medical attention following the accident. Even if you feel OK, seeing a doctor as soon as possible is also always a good idea. This way, you will know that you are not hurt or will receive the appropriate care you need to ensure you recover quickly following the accident.
Speak to Insurance Company or Lawyer Without Representation
Following an auto accident, the only parties you should speak with is the other driver at the scene, your insurance company, an attorney, and law enforcement. It is never smart for you to speak with the other driver’s insurance provider or legal representation unless you have your own representation on the call as well. If you speak with the other party without representation, you could accidentally make a statement that could be held against you and impact your ability to receive a fair settlement.
Accept Settlement without Review
If you are not at fault in the accident, it should be the responsibility of the other party to cover your damages. In most cases, this will be handled by the other party’s insurance company. If they are not properly insured, the other party will be responsible for any damages. In some cases, the other party will try to quickly settle the situation and offer you a certain amount of money. If this happens, you should always have it reviewed by an attorney first. They will help you determine whether the settlement amount is sufficient to cover your costs and will review the legal agreement to make sure you are not waiving any necessary rights you need to have moving forward.
A car accident can be a stressful time for anyone. Not only may you be without a vehicle for some time, but you also may need to deal with bodily injuries and a variety of high expenses. Due to this, having someone by your side for legal representation is always a good idea and should be a top priority. For those that are in the area and in need of Charlotte car accident lawyers, speaking with the team at Sumwalt Anderson can be a great idea. The professionals here can offer many legal services to ensure you are properly represented, make the right decisions, and receive a fair settlement and reimbursement for any costs you incur.
