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Being involved in a car accident can be emotionally and physically stressful. If you are lucky enough to survive a collision, it can be tough to know what steps you should take following your crash. It’s also important to know what not to do after a car accident.
With thousands of car accidents happening each day from Sarasota to San Diego, it’s important that drivers are educated about what to do if they are caught in a crash. Going further than simply calling the authorities, making the right moves after an accident could save you time and stress down the road.
With the right advice from a San Diego or Sarasota Car Accidents lawyer, you can protect your rights, but only if you take the right steps while you are at the scene of the crash. Let’s look at a few things that you should never do after a car accident.
Leave the Scene
Leaving the scene after a car accident is against the law. It is imperative that you remain at the scene until the authorities are contacted and talk to you about the accident. If you fail to remain at the scene, even if you don’t believe that there are any injuries or damage that could result in you being charged with a misdemeanor.
Failing to Collect Evidence and Information
If you are injured or suffer a loss due to a car accident, it is critical that you gather all the right information and evidence while at the scene to help build a case. You should exchange contact and insurance information with any other vehicle owners involved in the accident.
It’s also important to get all the details of the accident down on paper before you forget them during the stress of the situation. Make notes on your phone about the time, date, road conditions, and circumstances of the accident while they are fresh in your mind. You should also take pictures of the scene of the accident before the vehicles get moved by a cleanup crew.
Failing to Call 911
When you are involved in an accident, you will be filled with adrenaline that can cover the symptoms of injuries. You may feel fine following an accident but that doesn’t mean that you aren’t injured. It’s imperative to the welfare of all drivers and passengers involved in the accident that 911 rescue is called to the scene. Allow the EMT members to take a quick look at you to ensure that you are okay.
Admit Fault
If you are involved in a car accident you may feel like you need to apologize or take immediate responsibility for the crash. Any declaration of fault following an accident can be used against you during litigation. Keep quiet, take care of the people involved in the accident, and keep all statements for the police and your attorney only.
Contacting the Insurance Company
Although it is imperative that you let your own insurance company know about your accident, you should never contact the insurance company of any other driver involved. Consult a lawyer before you make any contact with the other insurance company. An attorney can help guide you through the process and act on your behalf.
It can be confusing and stressful to be in a car accident. Knowing what to do and what not to do can help protect your health and your legal rights. Talk to a car accident attorney to get advice on how to proceed if you have been injured in a crash and follow these tips about what not to do after an accident.