Being in a car accident in Homestead or any community is one of the most terrifying experiences you will ever face. After the initial squeal of brakes and the impact, you may be facing an angry motorist, serious injury, the sound of police sirens, and a trip to the hospital. In this type of situation, mistakes get made. Unfortunately, mistakes made after a traffic accident in Homestead or your community could haunt you for years to come because they could affect your ability to secure fair compensation for your injuries and property damage. If you are in a crash, be sure to avoid these common errors:
Car Accident Mistake #1: Leaving the Scene of the Accident
If you are in a minor accident, it may not seem necessary to stop, but it is the law. What happens, though, when the other driver waves the accident away and wants to drive away without exchanging contact information? In this situation, it is still important to offer assistance, report the accident, and exchange contact information. You don’t want to be accused afterwards of leaving the scene of an accident.
Car Accident Mistake #2: Saying the Wrong Thing
It’s easy to lose your calm after an accident, behave aggressively, or make other mistakes that could hurt your claim later on. Even if you believe that the accident was the other driver’s fault, stay calm. By the same token, remain calm even if the other driver accuses you of causing the accident. Do not apologize, even if you want to calm the other motorist down. In some cases, that apology may be seen as an admission that you caused the accident. What you should ask is “Are you injured?” and what you should state are the facts you need to exchange contact information and report the accident.
Car Accident Mistake #3: Not Reporting the Accident Right Away
The other motorist may claim that they want to just have insurance carriers handle the claims process, but reporting the accident is an important way to document the accident happened – especially if it turns out that the other driver does not have insurance.
Car Accident Mistake #4: Not Documenting the Accident
After a car or truck accident in Homestead, there is no such thing as too much documentation. In addition to exchanging information with the other driver, be sure to take photos of the accident scene as well as get contact information from any witnesses. Try to write down as much as you remember yourself – including details about the other car and driver, the time of day, where the accident occurred, and any other information you can remember.
Car Accident Mistake #5: Not Taking Care of Details After the Accident
After the crash, you will have a lot to do and you will want to focus on three main areas: health, insurance, and legal protections. First, get a medical checkup immediately after the accident, even if you are not sure that you are injured. You may have been injured and simply not be presenting symptoms right away, so you will want to stay alert for any symptoms that do develop. Second, you will want to contact your insurance company right away and follow up about your claim. Finally, you will want to contact a personal injury attorney in Homestead or your community if you have been injured, to ensure that you will get fair compensation for your injuries.
If you need to speak with a personal injury attorney after your accident, you can always reach Flaxman Law Group for a free accident consultation.