Car Accidents are unfortunate and extremely emotional events. Sometimes when they happen, we say or do the wrong things that can hurt us in the long run. In this blog post, our goal is to help anyone recently in an accident avoid the mistakes that could hurt you in the long run.
First and foremost, the first thing you will want to do is call 911, no matter how minor you think the accident is. Memories tend to change and people change their mind as time moves on.
Now, to review what NOT to do if you’ve been in a car accident:
The most important thing is to not leave the scene of the accident. Regardless of if you’re in a rush or have something planned… you must stay.
It is critical to wait for the police so that they can make a report of the car accident. Not only because the Police are professionals and can look at what happened objectively, but this will be the most accurate accounting of the car accident. This will be because the memory is freshest with you and the physical evidence of the crash will still be present.
If for some reason you cannot stay (which is not recommended), immediately take photos of the accident scene. Safely take photos from as many angles as possible. The reality is that as we replay these scenarios in our minds, our memories change slightly. These photographs will serve as clear evidence.
While waiting for the police to arrive at the scene, make sure you look for any potential witnesses to the accident. If it is possible to do safely, gather as much contact information as possible from any witnesses. Witness testimony could be a vital piece of the puzzle if you need to make a claim and it goes to court.
While doing this, be sure to gather the contact information of the other driver as well. Although it may be hard, try to keep your emotions under control. If there is anything said that could be misconstrued as an admission of guilt, it could work against you. In addition to the other driver’s contact information, be sure to also take down their insurance information. You can use the camera on your phone to gather this.
If the other drive should become confrontational, do your best to keep some distance and do not give in to their advances. If they choose to not give you their information, be sure to not be the first to leave the scene.
Finally, the last thing to NOT do is report the accident to your insurance company from the scene of the accident. At that point if the accident just happened, you may not be feeling pain because of your adrenaline. It’s best to sleep on it and see how you feel after the adrenaline wears off. If you were to report that you are not in any pain then change your story, that could hurt your case.
If you have been in a car accident and would like to speak with a Car Accident Attorneys at PhillyLawyers.com, please get in touch to review your case! The first consultation is always free.
