(Newswire.net — August 30, 2019) — Car accidents occur frequently throughout the world, and can be a very unnerving experience. Given that most people are likely to be involved in a least one car accident during their lives, knowing how to respond in the aftermath is of extreme importance. At the same time, knowing what not to do can be equally important, and can help people avoid undue legal troubles and other nuisances. Here are five things that you need to make sure to avoid doing after a car accident.
1. Place Blame
Emotions are sure to run high after a car accident, but it’s important to remain calm and not place blame on yourself or the other driver, even if it was clear who caused the accident. Insurance companies may try to avoid reimbursing your damages if you even hint at being responsible for the accident and arguing with the other party could increase the chance of a lawsuit being filed. It’s best to let lawyers and the police determine who was a fault, if it even needs to be done.
2. Neglect to Call the Police
It may not always seem necessary to call the police after a car accident (especially minor ones), but opting to leave the police out of the situation is an unwise decision. The police will provide unbiased documentation of the scene in an accident report, and will sort out any issues between you or the other driver. Furthermore, calling the police is a given if anyone has been injured.
3. Proceed Without a Lawyer
Having a lawyer on call will always benefit you after a car accident, whether you think they’re actually necessary or not. A lawyer will help you deal with unexpected lawsuits, or even help you file a lawsuit of your own. In addition, your lawyer should always be the one to speak with the other driver’s insurance company. Some insurance companies will attempt to get you to sign an unfair settlement, and a lawyer will help you avoid this.
4. Put Off Dealing with the Accident
After a car accident, everything needs to be dealt with promptly and carefully. Be sure to file a claim with your insurance company as soon as possible, preferably at the scene of the accident. Some insurance companies have a set time limit on when a claim can be filed. Moreover, don’t neglect to seek out medical treatment if you suffered any form of injury in the accident. You may need to deal with costly medical bills on top of the property damage, so it’s best to get things sorted out sooner rather than later.
5. Leave the Scene
Perhaps the worst thing you can do after a car accident is leave the scene before things get resolved. You may feel inclined to leave if the accident was minor or if you weren’t at fault but doing so can still net you criminal penalties. In the United States, it is a legal requirement to check on the other parties involved in the accident to ensure their safety, as well as calling the police so they can document the scene. Leaving the scene of an accident is always a crime, but it is a felony if somebody has been seriously injured. To be safe, always stay at the scene until the situation has been completely resolved.