Mistakes People Make After a Car Accident That Can Impact Their Compensation

Accidents are chaotic events that can leave a person dazed and confused at the scene. It is understandable.

You did not plan to be involved in an accident when you left home that day, and now that you have been, you are scrambling to make sense of the situation.

While you can only hope that you never get involved in an accident, it is still important to know what not to do after an accident.

Avoiding these common mistakes will protect your right to make a compensation claim.

Mistakes People Make After a Car Accident

There are a few common mistakes that people make after a car accident happens.

Some of these issues you may have yet to realize were a problem.

Saying I’m Sorry

It is human nature to say “I’m sorry” when you believe another person has been injured. It is an act of sympathy for the other person.

However, saying I’m sorry to the other person when you have been involved in an accident can be seen as an admission of fault or partial fault.

Saying things like “I didn’t see you” or “I looked away for a minute, and you were there” can be held against you later.

If possible, try to keep your interchange with the other driver to only exchange insurance information.

Failing To Call Emergency Services

Some people may think it is okay not to call emergency services if the accident is a minor event.

Both parties exchange information and part ways. Sadly, this can be a problem if the other party is at fault and then makes a claim against you.

Without an official police report, you can be held liable for an accident you did not cause.

Always call emergency services when an accident happens. The police will investigate the accident and write a detailed report that can be very useful if you need to make a compensation claim or if someone tries to claim against you.

Failing To Go To Er Right Away

Most insurance policies will give you up to seven days to seek medical treatment for injuries from a car accident.

However, within 24 hours, the insurance company will begin to delay or deny any claims because they say after that point, the injury could have “happened anywhere.”

Protect your health and rights to seek compensation by attending a medical exam right after the accident.

You do not have to go by ambulance to make it official. Go and get examined so you can document your accident and injuries. This gives you the right to future medical care.

Accepting Insurance Offer Immediately After The Accident

The insurance company will push for a settlement if it is clear that the accident was the other driver’s fault.

Some adjusters will even show up at the hospital while you are being examined, trying to close the claim.

Please don’t accept the first offer. It’s always in your best interest to speak with an attorney before taking any offer.

Why? To ensure that all of your losses have been covered. Once you agree to a settlement, you cannot seek further compensation.

Using any or all of these tips during a car accident will help you secure the maximum compensation for your losses.

Further reading: Evidence Used In A Car Accident Case