Don’t make these mistakes after you are in a car accident
Filing a claim for damages after a motor vehicle accident is a process that any accident victim need to handle carefully. You have to consider all of the facts that support your case, as well as the points that the defense could use against you. Then you have to compile those facts in an organized and watertight fashion that appeals to the law as much as it does to general human sentiment.
As you might imagine, there’s a lot that can go wrong in the process of litigating a personal injury claim. Here are some of the most common pitfalls and mistakes that a personal injury plaintiff (the person filing the claim) will want to avoid:
Admitting to fault or liability
Some mistakes happen before a claim is filed. Plaintiffs might apologize to an angry driver, thinking that they’re being nice or polite. In the process, they inadvertently accept liability when talking to other drivers or the police about the accident.
Only provide your contact information and insurance company details to the other driver. Don’t discuss the facts of the accident. You might not fully understand everything that happened, so it’s best to leave fault determination up to the professionals.
Forgetting to get contact information from witnesses and drivers
There may have been other witnesses to your motor vehicle accident. These individuals will provide valuable insight into what took place — and they could be helpful to ensure that the correct driver is deemed to be at fault. One common mistake, however, is to record the accounts of witnesses but forget to save their contact information.
The same goes for other drivers. It’s essential to collect as much as you can when it comes to names, contact information, drivers’ license numbers, licenses plate numbers and insurance information pertaining to the other drivers in the crash.
Talking about the crash on social media
It’s important for those involved in crashes to remember that their statements about the accident could be misinterpreted. Posting information on Facebook and other forms of social media about your accident is very risky. In fact, if you’re bringing forward any kind of personal injury case, it’s best to stop using social media altogether until you have settled your case or a judge or jury has given you a verdict.
Failing to take photographs of the accident scene
You might feel strange taking pictures of the accident scene, but this could be the best evidence you have to prove your case at a later time. Photographs of the accident and your injuries immediately following the incident will be invaluable to your case.
Pursue your lawsuit with care
The more care and attention to detail that you apply to your car accident claim, the better chances you’ll have of success. This care and attention is necessary when evaluating whether it’s worth it to file an action in the first place. It’s also necessary throughout the entire litigation process.