The Top 5 Mistakes People Make After Being Involved In A Car Accident

Over the last five years, car accident fatalities average 300 people every Christmas or New Year, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Any accident has the potential to be very expensive financially as well as physically, harming your ability to lead a healthy, active life.

Ohio-Based Personal Injury Law Firm John Fitch have highlighted the five common mistakes people make if you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an incident over the holidays.

1. Not seeking medical attention immediately

Even if your injury looks minor, seeking medical attention is very important.

A doctor can professionally assess the full extent of the injury, preventing potentially bigger problems from arising in the future.

Seeking medical attention straight away is also beneficial for your accident claim, as medical statements are a crucial part of your case.

2. Speaking about an accident without caution

Anything you say after an accident can be used to devalue your claim. Even a simple “I’m ok” can be used to discount your injuries.

It’s better to say very little than have your words used against your claim later. Decline answering questions by saying you need to talk to your lawyer first.

3. Not gathering ALL the important information at the scene

Being involved in an accident can be a shock and of course you want to be medically checked as soon as possible.

However, it is also very important to get all information about the vehicles involved, as well as the drivers’ names, addresses, telephone numbers, and insurance information.

If you are able to do so, make sure you request any witnesses’ names, addresses, and phone numbers.

You’ll also want to file an accident report as having a police report about your accident can support your injury claim later.

4. Reporting an incident to your insurance company too late

You need to let your insurer know about an accident, usually within 24 hours, regardless of who was to blame and even if you don't want to make a claim.

This is because the other driver could make a claim against you so it's best to let your insurer know your side of the story first.

Document the scene as well as you can. Take photographs of all vehicles involved, any injuries suffered, and the accident location.

Also take pictures of the possible contributing factors to the accident, such as beer bottles lying around, or traffic signs obscured by tree branches.

5. Believing you can handle the claim without a lawyer

You may think you can handle your claim without using a lawyer. After all, you will get to keep every penny you recover if you handle the settlement directly with the at-fault party’s insurer.

The truth is that insurance companies have strategies they employ to reduce the value of your settlement or perhaps avoid paying you at all.

Therefore, you will be able to maximize your compensation if you have a lawyer fighting for your rights and you can still receive more money after paying a lawyer’s costs.