You are probably anxious and scared about what might happen after an accident. Will insurance cover the damage? You might be wondering. Has anyone been hurt? Was I to blame?
In this trying time, it is critical to maintain your composure. Even though it can be difficult to remain calm after an accident, especially if you or a loved one was hurt, the decisions you make now could have long-lasting effects when you hire a criminal attorney.
What Should You Not Do after Meeting with An Accident?
1. Do Not Flee The Scene
No matter how minor an accident may seem, you must still check on the other driver, exchange information, and call the police. Leaving the scene of an accident is automatically a misdemeanour if there has been any injury or property damage. Depending on the circumstances, running away could also result in fines or jail time.
2. Refusing to call the police
No matter what happens after the accident, it is crucial to call the police and report it. There will not be much documentation of the accident if a police officer does not show up to record it, which leaves room for later disputes and shifting narratives. The claims process will move more quickly if there is a report on file, and it will provide important documentation in the event of a long-term injury or car problems.
3. Admission of Error
You, your insurance company, and your attorney will all be at a disadvantage if you admit fault, whether on the spot or in a recorded statement to the other party’s insurance company. Even when you did not do anything wrong, it can be enticing to apologize immediately after a crash. However, it would help if you kept in mind that this is not your responsibility and should be left to the law enforcement officials and criminal attorney who may be handling the case.
4. Negating Any Damage
After an accident, just because you feel fine does not mean you are fine. Major or minor injuries could be concealed by adrenaline; if left untreated, a minor injury could deteriorate over time. Additionally, saying you do not require medical attention could prevent you from obtaining compensation for your injuries from the party at fault. It is good to pay attention to any persisting symptoms and get medical attention if you have any injury, even a minor one, as prompt examination is required to link injuries to a car accident.
6. Not Getting in Touch With An Attorney
It is a huge task for an untrained person to handle after a crash to evaluate the long-term effects of your injury and whether you have a strong legal case. There is no risk in speaking with a lawyer and getting a professional opinion on your case because a criminal attorney will provide free initial consultations. The statute of limitations on cases involving personal injuries means that if you wait to seek legal representation, you may have difficulty getting compensated and risk permanently losing the chance to do so.
Conclusion
Your whole day can be ruined by an automobile accident. You must deal with car damage, liability concerns, potential traffic tickets, missing work or an important appointment, and in some unfortunate circumstances, injuries and other inconveniences in addition to the inconvenience of missing work or an important appointment.
Keeping these above points in mind can help you handle the situation wisely.