In Minnesota, there are over 100,000 car crashes per year. With accidents as common as they are, it is imperative to know what to do if you have been involved in a car accident. Avoid these common mistakes after a car crash to best set yourself up for success and recovery after an accident.
1. Admitting Fault
One of the biggest mistakes made after a car accident is admitting fault. When speaking to the police at the scene, be truthful and stick to the facts of what happened. Don’t admit fault or apologize, as any such admission can be used against you later on if your case proceeds to a lawsuit.
2. Not Calling the Police
Calling the police is one of the most important things to do after a car crash. The police will come to the scene and investigate what happened. They will create an accident report to document their conclusions, as well as document the basic, necessary information about the car crash. This will include the location, the date and time, the involved parties and their contact and insurance information, and the names and contact information of any witnesses. When the police arrive, stay calm and explain what happened from your perspective, giving as many details as possible. If you were injured in the crash, tell the officer and request appropriate medical attention if needed..
3. Not Taking Pictures
Another common mistake made after a car crash is failing to take pictures of the scene. Taking pictures can help document what happened, and preserve evidence of exactly what the scene looked like at the time of the accident. If you have a phone with a camera, take pictures of both cars from different angles, as well as the surrounding area where the crash occurred. Documenting as much of the accident scene as possible will help later on if there is a question about how the crash happened.
4. Not Receiving Medical Attention
If you were injured in the crash, the most important thing to do is to seek proper medical attention. Even if you do not believe you sustained any major injuries, or if your injuries seem minor, you should still seek medical attention after an accident. With your adrenaline flowing after a crash, you may not notice some injuries until later on. Getting immediate attention will help determine what care you may need and what to look out for.
Seeking medical care after a car accident will also formally document any injuries and create a record for any later legal actions.
5. Not Contacting a Personal Injury Lawyer
Finally, contact a personal injury lawyer after a car accident. Getting the right team of attorneys on your side is crucial to ensuring your rights are protected.. It is common for insurance companies to attempt to settle cases very early on before the full nature and extent of your injuries are known. In these cases, car crash victims may receive much less than they are entitled to. By contacting a personal injury lawyer after a car accident, they can take over the handling of your claims and ensure that you are not being taken advantage of by the insurance company.
Knowing what to do after a car crash will help protect your rights and receive fair compensation. The personal injury attorneys at Nelson Personal Injury have decades of experience working with car crash victims, and we will utilize that expertise to help you navigate this difficult experience. We’ll work with you and for you to ensure you get the appropriate compensation you are entitled to. Contact the attorneys at NPI for a free consultation.
