As drivers, we hope never to be involved in a car accident. Not only can an accident ruin your immediate plans, but it can also leave you with painful injuries and the stress of dealing with damage to your vehicle. In the chaos of the moment, it can be difficult to know what to do, and even more difficult to remember what to avoid.
Preparedness is key to handling a sudden and stressful situation like an accident. While most people are aware of what they should do after an accident, including pulling over, exchanging insurance information, and calling for police and/or medical aid, the types of things you shouldn't do is less well known.
Here is a list of what not to do after a car accident:
- DON’T lose your temper. Remain calm! Although you may have a good reason to be angry with the person who caused your accident, it is important to keep a level head so that you can assess the situation clearly and move forward with the best possible course of action.
- DON’T leave the scene of the accident. There may be a number of situations in which a person may be tempted to leave the scene of an accident, but this is a bad idea. Not only can this result in criminal charges, but it can also bar the driver from obtaining compensation if unknown damages or injuries become apparent later on.
- DON’T admit guilt. Keep your interactions with the other driver strictly business. Avoid saying anything that could be construed as an admission of fault for the accident, including “I’m sorry” or “I didn’t see you coming.” Insurance adjusters will actively look for a way to lessen your recovery, so don’t give them anything they can use to make it look like the accident was your fault.
- DON’T forget to gather evidence. You should take photos or videos of the accident scene, including damage to your vehicle, any visible injuries you have suffered, and your surroundings. It is also a good idea to take the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident and to write down exactly what happened while the incident is still fresh in your mind. This can be valuable evidence to support a possible personal injury claim.
- DON’T neglect to call for medical help. The adrenaline from an accident can temporarily mask the symptoms of an injury. Even if you don’t immediately feel hurt after an accident, you should still get checked out by a doctor to ensure that you aren’t injured. Waiting too long to seek medical attention not only puts your health at risk, but may also harm your ability to obtain compensation.
- DON’T wait too long to call a lawyer. You should get an attorney involved as soon as possible after an accident while the evidence is still fresh. The sooner you call a lawyer, the sooner they can begin an investigation of your case to determine liability, how much your case may be worth, and what legal options are available to you for pursuing compensation.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Kentucky, you should immediately contact an experienced Lexington car accident lawyer at Goeing Goeing & McQuinn PLLC. Our team has recovered millions of dollars in compensation on behalf of personal injury victims because we know what it takes to build a strong claim. Our goal is to bring you the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to so that you can focus on your recovery.
To schedule a free evaluation of your case, please call our office at (859) 253-0088.