What occurs immediately before – and during – an auto crash can be integral to determining who’s at fault for the crash and, consequently, who may be liable for compensating victims.
However, what victims do in the moments and days following a car wreck may impact their financial recovery, especially if they make any missteps that could complicate their auto accident claim.
The following reveals some of the leading mistakes to avoid making following a car crash in order to position a recovery claim for success and minimal challenges.
Missteps to Avoid Following Auto Wrecks
- Not calling police – Reporting the car accident to police is important because traffic officers can immediately help the involved parties get the help they need, like emergency medical care. It’s also crucial to call police following a traffic crash because police will conduct their own investigation into the accident and write up an official report, which can provide critical evidence and details related to the crash (and those elements can help establish fault later). By not calling police, however, it can be more difficult to prove who may be liable for the accident, likely increasing the challenges victims have moving forward with an auto wreck claim.
- Apologizing for the wreck or admitting blame – Either of these actions can be taken as evidence of fault, meaning that insurers can later use these admissions to try to deny claims or minimize payouts for them.
- Not taking any photos of the wreckage – Pictures can backup victims’ contentions about how the crash occurred and who was likely at fault for it. Without photos of the accident scene, again, it can be more difficult to prove exact what occurred, what the extent of the damage was, what the road/weather conditions were like when the crash took place, etc.
- Not seeing a doctor – A physician can diagnose (and quickly start treating) any car accident injuries sustained. While that can be important to the physical healing process, the doctor’s report generated from that initial visit can be central to the financial recovery process, as it can document (and provide crucial details about) the severity of the injuries caused by the crash.
- Waiting too long to report the crash to the insurance company – Not reporting the accident to the insurance company within a few days of crash may violate the terms of some auto insurance policies (which commonly require these reports to be made within 48 to 72 hours following a wreck). That, in turn, can mean more challenges in pursuing a claim and an increased likelihood that insurers will try to undercut that claim (if not deny it outright).
- Not meeting with an attorney – Overlooking this important step can mean that you aren’t fully aware of your recovery options – or what you may really be entitled to following the crash. It can also result in your rights being compromised during the recovery process, which can mean that you don’t end up obtaining the full amount of compensation to which you were entitled. That, in turn, can compromise your ability to cover your medical bills and reclaim your life following a serious auto crash.
Let’s Discuss Your Financial Recovery Options: Contact a Middlesex County Personal Injury Lawyer at Mayo Law
If you or someone you love has been injured in a traffic crash, contact a Middlesex County personal injury lawyer at Mayo Law for more information about your options for financial recovery and justice.
For more than 20 years, the trusted attorneys at Mayo & Russ have been dedicated to aggressively advocating the rights of those who have been harmed by negligence. Known for providing superior representation for auto accident claim, as well as other personal injury matters, our lawyers have the insight and experience you can count on to bring your case to a successful resolution.
To find out more about our services and how we can help you with your financial recovery, call us at (732) 613-3100 or toll free at (888) MAYO-LAW. You can also email our firm via the drop-down contact form at the top of this page. Initial consultations are free, and we do not charge any legal fees until or unless compensation is secured.
