A car accident has the potential to turn one’s life upside down. It is a traumatic event that may result in short- or long-term injuries and cause significant emotional and financial stress for not just victims, but also their families. The aftermath of such incidents is typically a time of great confusion and it can be challenging to know precisely what steps you need to take when involved in a car accident. Knowing what you should not do after a car accident is also essential when it comes to protecting your rights as well the value of your car accident claim.
Pitfalls to Avoid
Here are the five common mistakes you need to avoid if you or a loved one has
been recently injured in a car accident:
1. Failing to file a police report: If you have suffered injuries in a car accident, it is important that you file a police report. This will help ensure that there is a record of an investigation and a report of the crash, which often indicates who was at fault and what the circumstances of the incident were. Failing to file a police report may make it more challenging to prove fault later. This may potentially limit the evidence that is available to substantiate your claim. Your New York car accident lawyer can help you obtain a copy of this report as part of the crucial process to compile the evidence that will help strengthen your claim.
2. Not taking photos/video at the crash scene: Images – whether they are photos or videos – can show important details including the point of impact, the extent of the damage, the roadway conditions as well as weather at the time of the crash. Without such evidence to back up your claim, it can become more of a challenge to establish fault. If you are injured or need to get to the hospital right away, it is important that you ask a family member or friend to remain at the scene and gather important evidence including taking photographs and video.
3. Accepting blame or apologizing for the accident: This is one of the biggest mistakes drivers can make that may seriously jeopardize their car accident claim. This gives an opportunity for insurance companies or defense attorneys to argue that you were partly or entirely responsible for the collision even if you were not at fault. It is impossible to fully understand a crash as soon as it happens. So, it is best to remain silent and work on gathering facts.
4. Not getting medical attention: It is important that you see your doctor soon after the car accident. Not only does this give you the best shot at a speedy recovery, but it also makes sure there is a clear record of the injuries that you sustained and the treatment you received for them. In addition to getting the treatment and care you need, it is also important that you follow the doctor’s orders and treatment plan. Failing to do so might give the other side an opportunity to question the severity of your injuries or the validity of your claim. In such cases, your New York car accident lawyer will be able to stand up for your rights and help bring the facts to light.
5. Rushing into a settlement: One of the biggest mistakes we see people make quite often is taking the first settlement offer they get. While it’s natural to want to move past a traumatic experience, please remember that once you sign an agreement and accept an offer, you may not be able to seek compensation for any future expenses you incur as a result of your car accident injuries. This is why it is critical that you discuss your car accident case with an experienced New York personal injury lawyer who can help evaluate your claim, determine its value and make sure you get maximum compensation for your losses.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
Injured victims of speeding or reckless drivers can seek compensation from at-fault parties for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost wages and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. Families that have lost loved ones in pedestrian accidents can seek compensation for damages such as lost future income, medical and funeral costs, pain and suffering, etc.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident or pedestrian accident, or if you have lost a loved one in an auto accident caused by a negligent (careless) driver, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
For nearly 50 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury and/or medical malpractice cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com