Car accidents are jarring and can happen in a matter of seconds. Unfortunately, these accidents often result in severe injuries, and it’s not uncommon for those injured in car accidents to “freeze up” in the moment and be unsure of what to do. That said, if you are hurt in a car accident, especially one caused by the negligence of another, there are several actions you should take (and several mistakes you should avoid) to maximize your chances of recovering financial compensation in a personal injury claim. Please continue reading and reach out to a dedicated Stamford, Connecticut car accident lawyer from Casper & de Toledo today to learn more about the most important mistakes that you should avoid making after a car accident.
Five Mistakes to Avoid After a Car Accident
- Failing to Call 911: After a car accident, you need to call 911 and ask for the police. Not only will the 911 dispatcher alert the police, but they will also determine if medical services should be dispatched to the scene of the accident. Requesting the police is important because law enforcement will document the accident, attempting to accurately detail how the accident happened. If you don’t request the police and the accident isn’t formally reported, it can have a drastic impact on your ability to satisfy the burden of proof in a future personal injury claim.
- Not Getting Immediately Evaluated by a Medical Professional: Even if you feel fine after an accident or just have minor cuts and bruises, it is important to receive a thorough medical examination. The adrenaline from a crash may mask more serious injuries, such as internal organ damage or traumatic brain injury. It is important that you receive medical clearance. It is important to understand that clearance from an Emergency Room does not necessarily mean that either you’re uninjured or that there are no concerns. Emergency department personnel, doing their very best, have as their primary goal, to rule out life-threatening conditions., so it often happens that subtle injuries or injuries that take time to evolve are overlooked in the Emergency Room. For those reasons, patients always are given written Discharge Instructions warning about possible developments or complications and urging patients to return to the hospital if experiencing concerning symptoms. Don’t ignore those instructions. Also, you should keep copies of all medical documentation regarding your injuries so they can be referenced at a later date if need be.
- Failing to Collect Evidence: In the moments following your accident, you likely will have an opportunity to collect evidence. This can include taking pictures of the damage to vehicles, asking witnesses for their contact information, and getting the other driver’s insurance information. If injured, you should ask a companion or witness to obtain that information. This evidence will play a critical role in winning your personal injury claim. If you don’t collect evidence, it will likely become more challenging to successfully recover compensation in your personal injury claim.
- Speaking with Insurance Adjusters without an Attorney: Insurance adjusters are not your friend; they exist to minimize your claim and protect the company they work for. Insurance companies are businesses and care most about their bottom line. For this reason, you should leave dealing with insurance adjusters and negotiating settlements to a competent attorney.
- Failing to Hire a Lawyer: Many people assume that they don’t need an attorney to get fairly compensated for an injury; however, this is rarely true. Not only can an attorney negotiate with insurance adjusters on your behalf, but an attorney can also help collect evidence and work alongside certain experts, such as medical professionals and accident reconstruction specialists. Finally, if need be, your lawyer can take your case to trial and fight for the full compensation to which you are entitled.
If you have any further questions or believe you have a valid personal injury claim, our firm is here to help. Contact Casper & de Toledo today.
