Biggest Mistakes Made After a Car Accident
These are the most common mistakes made after a car accident: Not calling 911, not taking photos, and waiting too long to file a claim. Don’t make these mistakes and you can be one of the next to be compensated. Keep reading to learn how you can avoid them. Remember to file your claim as soon as possible.
Eyewitnesses
You may have witnessed another person’s mistake if you have been in a car accident. A witness can provide objective information about the crash and their testimony can be helpful in determining who is at fault. Be careful with eyewitness information: they can be inaccurate or distort truth. It is also helpful to get their contact info. If you think you’ve witnessed a mistake, make sure you get their contact information, and give them a statement.
911
One of the biggest mistakes that people make after a car accident is not reporting the crash to the police. Although many people feel compelled to say it is the wrong thing to do, there are many advantages. In addition to the benefits that contacting the police has for you and your loved ones, a police report can also be used for insurance claims negotiations. It is crucial that you report the accident.
Taking photos of the scene
Although it is tempting to take photos of the wreckage and other damage, this is one of most common mistakes made after a car accident. Even though you may not have the ability to take photographs of the other driver it is important to ensure you have the correct evidence. Take photos of the intersection and road conditions.
Do not wait too long to file your claim
It is important to not wait too long to file your claim after suffering injuries in an auto accident. There are many negative consequences to putting off filing a claim. If you wait too long, you may find yourself paying out of pocket for damages, wasting valuable time and potentially missing out on valuable coverage. Also, many insurers ban you from filing claims for four years if you delay your claim.
Admitting fault
When you are in the middle of a car accident, it can be tempting to immediately point a finger at the other driver. However, it is not a good idea to admit fault in the heat of the moment, and will only come back to haunt you in court. This can be avoided by first obtaining the accident report from the police. Also, the badge number for the officer who completed the report will be helpful. If you can, take pictures of the scene of the accident.
Underestimating injuries
First, you should get checked by a doctor if you have been in a car accident. While you may feel sore or stiff after an accident, it is important to make sure you don’t have more severe injuries. Underestimating your injuries could result in missed treatment opportunities or a missed insurance claim. A doctor can also trace the cause of your symptoms back to the car accident.
Trusting the insurance company
Do you trust the insurance company after a car accident? If you answered yes, you may be in for a rude awakening. Insurance companies are notoriously low-settlement and denialists. Insurance company representatives try to convince accident victims, which could jeopardize their claim. Here’s how to deal with these calls: