While it isn’t unusual to be upset after a car accident, it’s critical to be careful of what you say and do after a car accident. Even though nobody wants to be in a collision, you can avoid making decisions that could have a considerable effect on any possible legal proceedings and the complete resolution of the accident.
When talking with other people after a car accident, say what is only necessary like exchanging insurance and contact information. While you might feel this is unfeeling and cold, it lessens the odds of you saying something that will harm your chances of getting fair compensation. Be careful with what you say and do, avoiding any needless conversations where you could make mistakes.
If you’ve been in a car accident in Colorado, you are legally required to remain at the collision site. Leaving the scene can result in jail time and/or fines. Moreover, it can impact your chance of receiving compensation for any injuries and damage.
If you leave the accident scene, you may forfeit your right to compensation from the other motorist’s insurance company or even your own insurance company. Leaving the accident scene can be considered an admission of guilt, or it could establish that your injuries aren’t serious. If you can’t file a claim, you’ll be responsible for paying any expenses and bills associated with the accident.
The first reason why it’s critical to seek medical attention after a car accident is so that any possible injuries can be identified immediately. If you delay medical attention or just get treatment when symptoms become serious, then it might be hard for doctors to treat them successfully. That’s why it is always best to get an examination immediately after a car accident, even if you don’t feel you have any injuries.
While you must cooperate with the police and other parties involved in the accident, you should never admit fault or apologize for the crash. One of the key things not to do after a car accident is to say you’re responsible. When you admit fault, even if to be polite or accidentally, you could risk getting compensated and possibly be responsible for damages.
Timely notifying your insurance company is critical after a car accident. You need to start the claims process right away to make sure you get the compensation you deserve to pay for the bills of any injuries and repairs. If you delay filing your claim, you could fall outside the statute of limitations for car accidents and end up with no compensation.
If it’s a minor accident, you might be tempted to avoid calling law enforcement and reporting it to your insurance company. The other driver might even be insisting you do this.
Don’t ever consider doing this. Regardless of how minor, every accident must be reported to your insurance company and police. If you don’t notify either one, then it’ll be your word versus their word, making getting compensation for damages significantly more difficult.
After making sure everyone is safe, it’s crucial to start collecting information from anyone else involved in the car accident. Be sure you collect:
It is also a good idea to take pictures and videos of the vehicles, collision site, street/road signs, and any property damage resulting from the accident.
It’s critical to take note of everything you remember about the collision while you can still recall the details. Make note of:
This information could be helpful later when filing an insurance claim or if you need to start legal proceedings.
If you need medical treatment after your car accident, it’s critical to keep:
This will help you stay on top of your medical expenses and will be helpful evidence of your damages for your car accident attorney.
You’re most likely building your case after a car collision. During this time, it’s critical to be careful when it comes to using social media, avoiding posting any information that could possibly get your injury claim denied. Furthermore, posting about the car accident itself holds the possibility of you sharing information that might increase your liability or implicate you as the at-fault driver.
Additionally, you must think about others (other driver’s attorneys or insurance companies) keeping track of your whereabouts. For instance, if you claim to have a broken arm, but you post pictures of yourself at the gym after the collision, the credibility of your case could be compromised. It’s a good idea to avoid social media activity as much as possible after a car accident.
While it might be implausible, the wrong words could be as harmful as the accident. Get legal advice from a Denver car accident lawyer before making official statements or admitting responsibility for the collision.
Admitting fault at the car accident scene could be used against you later by an insurance company or during a trial. Fault is a complicated issue decided by the court or insurance adjusters. Fault isn’t determined by people involved in the accident.
You can say: “Is everyone okay? Let’s call the police.”
After a car accident, your adrenaline could conceal any injury or pain. If you tell a law officer or the other driver “I’m not hurt” and later find out that you have injuries associated with the accident, your previous statement can be used against you to refute your injury claims.
You can say: “I’m going to get examined by a doctor to make sure I’m okay.”
Assessing damage to a vehicle could be deceptive. What seems to be minor damage could be serious, particularly when it comes to automobiles. You should leave the vehicle evaluation to an insurance company or professional auto mechanic.
You can say: “I’m going to get an auto mechanic to examine my car for damages.”
Shouting at the other motorists and blaming them for the car accident could make the incident worse. This can also make it difficult for the police to create a precise report. Furthermore, it could harmfully impact your case if it happens to go to trial.
You can say: “I’m going to wait for the police to arrive. I’m going to let them take down the facts of the accident so I can get the official police report.”
This discloses your lack of legal advice and assistance to the other party’s insurance adjuster. Insurance companies are famous for using underhanded methods to injure victims who don’t have a lawyer and get these victims to agree on an unfavorable and low settlement.
You can say: “I will be hiring an attorney who will be handling my case.”
Any type of apology after a car accident could suggest to an insurance company that you admit responsibility, leading them to decrease the compensation amount you get in your claim. This is true even if you are just voicing irritation or unhappiness about the accident, as many drivers are inclined to say “I’m sorry” in these situations.
You can say: “Is everyone alright? Good. Let’s exchange contact and insurance information.”
Saying yes to an insurance company’s offer is usually seen as agreeing with statements made by the insurance adjuster, resulting in a substantially lower payment than what you have a right to get. Therefore, it is vital to consult with an experienced car accident lawyer before accepting any offers or making any decisions with an insurance company.
You can say: “I’ll let my attorney speak with you about your offer.”
One of the most crucial steps is to hire a knowledgeable car accident attorney who can fight for your rights to get compensated fairly and ensure that insurance companies treat you with respect.
It’s important to be watchful of your actions and words after a car accident to protect your credibility, claim, and case. If you have been hurt in a car accident, contact Lampert & Walsh for a free evaluation. Our experienced car accident lawyers can guide you through the difficulties of your case, getting you the best outcome possible.