The Things You Should Not Do Following a Car Accident (According to Lawyers)
There are a few things that your lawyer would recommend never to do after a road accident. The car accident lawyers at Regan Zambri Long suggest keeping a few things in mind as soon as you get involved in an accident.
The first thing you need to do is to call your lawyer and inform them about the accident. They would remind you what to do and what not to do, but if you cannot reach out to the lawyer, here are a few tips.
Run away from the scene
The first thing that comes to many people’s minds is to flee the crime scene. However, lawyers strongly recommend against it. Instead, it is advised to stay at the scene of the event till help arrives and ensure that the authorities are informed. The moment you flee the scene, you will weaken your case and make yourself look guilty in the eyes of the law. The accident has already happened, and it is better to remain at the scene and face the aftermath.
Miss important details
Do not forget to note down the details. Since you are the first one on the scene of an accident, note down small details such as the tire tracks, the place of impact, speed, damage, and other minor details so that you can help your lawyer formulate the case.
Not informing 911 or the police
Lawyers in the US strongly advise calling 911 and the police as soon as an accident takes place. Informing the authorities yourself would help your case and get the required emergency response in case of any casualty or injury. In addition, the time of the accident and your call to 911 play a significant role in the legal battle of car accident cases.
Speak to the people nearby
Avoid talking to the people nearby. Since the people involved in an accident are in a state of shock, do not talk to any bystanders or others, even if they were in the accident. The statements you make in such a situation can or may be used against you when the case is formulated in court.
Furthermore, anything you say, even in a state of shock, becomes a valuable recorded statement that gets difficult to retreat from later in the case. Therefore, lawyers recommend that you do not talk to anyone, note what has happened around you, and, if possible, write down the details or take mental notes of the event.
Ignore your injuries
Never ignore your injuries after an accident, no matter how minor they look. According to expert lawyers in the US, if a person ignores the injuries right after an accident and gets involved in other activities, such as collecting evidence or talking to people, it becomes difficult to prove the level of damage in a personal injury lawsuit.
Not reporting to the insurance company
Reporting to the insurance company is essential. As soon as you regain composure, inform your insurance provider about the accident. You do not have to provide all the details on the call, but informing the company about the accident, big or small, is essential.