The aftermath of a car accident often remains unpredictable for most parties involved. If you suffered severe injuries or property damage, you should typically expect the party-at-fault to collaborate in ensuring you get compensated by their insurer. While it isn’t easy to stay composed, especially if you or your loved one suffered an injury, below are a few things you shouldn’t do right after the accident.
1. Not Reporting The Accident
Surprisingly, most people think of fleeing the accident scene immediately, especially if injuries and property damage aren’t severe. However, you shouldn’t flee the scene. Instead, you should call law enforcement officers and emergency responders. Law enforcement officers are required to complete a crash report as emergency personnel attend to injured victims.
A crash report captures important details, such as the date of the accident, parties involved, injuries, fatalities, property damage, eyewitnesses, and insurance details. This document is beneficial for accident victims who want to file a personal injury claim for compensation.
If the police officer didn’t give you a copy of the crash report, your car accident attorney from Grillo Law will make a follow-up. Note that fleeing the accident scene if there are injuries inflicted or property damage automatically becomes a misdemeanor offense that attracts a fine or jail time.
2. Giving Statements To Insurance Companies Without A Lawyer
Insurance companies of the party at fault often try to reach out through their adjusters for a statement about the accident. However, this is a common tactic used by insurance companies to collect any information that conflicts with the insured driver’s statement and possibly pass you partial liability for the accident.
The insurance adjuster can also approach you with a settlement offer, mostly when the party liable isn’t in question. Their offer might be tempting, especially if you are facing medical expenses and other costs. However, this offer may not capture all the costs of your injuries. You should only meet with the insurance company in the presence of your attorney. Your lawyer will review the injuries and damages to determine if the settlement offer is fair.
3. Post About The Accident On Social Media
It is certainly very tempting to express your frustrations about the accident on social media. However, you should resist this urge, as anything shared on your socials can bring down your personal injury claim. Unlike before, when social media wasn’t common, insurance companies and attorneys of the responsible driver now scour social media platforms, looking for excuses to invalidate your statement, minimize pain, and lower the amount of damages.
It shouldn’t be surprising if the defendants use your online activity to discredit your case. They can use your posts to prove that your injuries aren’t as severe as you’ve stated or capture comments that contradict sworn statements.
Endnote
Maneuvering a car accident case or any other personal injury case comes with various complexities. Unfortunately, contrary to what most people think, getting compensation for damages and bodily injury after an accident isn’t a straightforward process. You should consult an experienced car accident attorney to guide you during this difficult period.
