Car accidents are some of the most traumatic incidents to ever encounter during your lifetime. Depending on the severity of the accident, you might be lucky and come out with minor injuries such as soft tissue wounds. Or you may end up taking the brunt of a vicious car accident and suffer from serious injuries such as head injury or even brain injury. Whatever the case, it helps to know that you have a right to demand legal compensation, especially if the accident was someone else’s fault.
However, where there are a few tips to win your rightful compensation and win your case, there are also a few don’ts. In this article, we will discuss what blunders you should avoid at all costs. Depending on which state you are in, some of these blunders can cost you serious financial losses as well as a wrongful lawsuit if the other party decides to pin all of it on you.
- Not Calling the Authorities
This is one of the most serious and dumbest mistakes anyone can make. Especially if the accident is serious or there is a possibility of a heated argument, you should immediately call the police.
Having police come over can turn the tide in your favour especially if you need the support of the authorities. Police are more likely to question the witnesses, and prepare a report of the accident. The police are also more likely to prevent any leading conflict or fight if it comes to that.
There is another added advantage of it all. The police report is a viable way for many insurance companies to process information. If you aren’t at fault, then it may be a very valuable asset for you.
- Not Hiring an Auto-Injury Attorney
One of the second biggest mistakes that you can make is to go against powerful insurance companies or organizations all on your own and not hire an attorney for compensation. Insurance companies and organizations are skilled defence lawyers who can not only deny you compensation but also pinpoint the blame on you. Alternatively, you may be tricked into accepting a lowball offer which may be several hundred dollars, and may not be good for you at all.
You will want to hire a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible and demand legal compensation as your right. An attorney can help your case like no one can. The solo approach, on the other hand, is going to cost you a lot.
- Not Seeing a Doctor
No matter what kind of accident you had been in, or what kind of injury you suffered, not seeing a doctor is going to be a decision that may cost you both financially and health-wise. You will need to have a doctor look up your injuries as soon as possible.
Even if they are minor injuries, you will want to get yourself checked. If the injuries are major, you should find a good auto-injury doctor for your relevant medical need. A good car accident doctor can help you win your compensation by testifying for your case and also documenting your medical treatments.
- Talking to the Opposite Person’s Insurance Company
That is a mistake and a grave one. A person’s insurance company will want to save their back even if they are at fault.
If the accident was not your fault but the other party’s, then you only need to talk to your own insurance company or your personal injury attorney. It doesn’t mean that you should talk to the other person’s insurance company. They might try to place the blame on you. You aren’t at fault, and you are most certainly not obligated to talk to any insurance company apart from yours. In fact, in some cases, talking to the other company can hurt your chances of winning proper compensation.
- Not Pursuing Your Case
Sometimes to avoid the hassle, some people willingly pay out-of-pocket costs and let go of the incident. It is a bad approach. If you don’t involve a lawyer or attorney, you may find one hired against you. Take action as quickly as possible and pursue your case actively.
