Car accidents are among the most stressful events that you can encounter on public roads. After an accident, time is of the essence for making decisions that can help you later when it’s time to file a claim. It’s also common to be too stressed to think clearly. Learning how to avoid these common mistakes can help you ensure that any future car accident claims go smoothly.
Making Admissions of Guilt
It’s sometimes human nature to take responsibility for an accident. But there might be factors involved with the incident that are beyond your knowledge. Someone may misuse your statements to make you appear to be at fault. Try to stick to the facts. While you’ll need to exchange contact information, you will want to say as little as possible to the other party about what you think happened.
Opting Out of Filing a Police Report
What might seem like a minor fender bender could turn into something more. For instance, you might discover that the accident caused harm to the electrical components on your car. Or your injuries could be worse than you thought. A police report creates a record of the event that includes pertinent details that a lawyer can use later for your case. In fact, in California you are required to report an incident to the police within 24 hours.
Failing to Get Immediate Medical Care
A flood of adrenaline that occurs in response to the accident could mask pain from an injury. Some injuries, such as whiplash, take days to show symptoms. Even if you and your passengers feel okay, try to get a medical exam as soon as possible. The exam could identify injuries that you aren’t aware of yet, and it’s important to begin documenting a timeline for any symptoms that you experience.
Waiting Too Long to File a Claim
The statute of limitations for filing a car accident claim in California is two years from the date of the accident. If your crash happened in Nevada, a Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer can explain the local deadlines and protect your claim from day one.
Allowing the time to run out leaves you with fewer options for handling your claim. Reaching out to your attorney can help you file your claim within the required timeline. If too much time has passed, then you may still want to contact a car accident lawyer to find out if you still have options.
Speaking With the Other Party’s Insurance Adjustor
Insurance companies are motivated to pay as little as possible for a claim. While you might need to deal with the other party’s insurance provider to schedule inspections and other services, it’s best to only do so with the guidance of a lawyer. You’ll also want to avoid accepting a settlement offer without legal advice, since it’s possible that the initial amount is lower than what you need for your recovery.
Posting On Social Media
It’s normal to want to share your experience with others but doing this online could impact your case. The other party’s insurance company could use any posts you make to lower the settlement amount or make you appear at fault. Even posting about a trip you had before the accident could make it look like you aren’t injured if people can’t see the timeline. For now, opt out of making any social media posts that could cause doubt for your case. Your attorney can let you know when it’s safe to post online again.
In a perfect world, you’d never need to worry about having a car accident. Following safe driving practices helps you prevent needing to file a claim, but you never know when an unforeseen event could impact your life. Once you’ve managed your health needs and taken care of anyone else around you, then it’s time to reach out to an attorney to begin handling your case. With a professional lawyer leading the way, you can focus on your recovery while knowing that your case is in competent hands.
