A car accident can leave you physically, mentally and emotionally shaken. The law allows you to claim compensation for losses incurred in a car crash from the responsible party. This compensation can go towards taking care of your medical expenses, repairing your damaged car and lost income among other damages.
However, the defendant’s insurance company will do everything in its power to limit or even prevent you from receiving any compensation. As such, it is imperative that you know from the word go what you should and should not do following a car accident.
Here are common mistakes that can potentially ruin your car accident claim or reduce your compensation amount.
Failing to seek treatment
It is crucial that you seek medical care immediately following a car accident for two reasons: First, this will help you properly heal from your injuries or detect and treat any underlying injuries before they worsen. Second, your treatment record will form a vital piece of evidence during your car accident case. In delaying to seek medical attention, the defendant and their insurance provider may argue that the accident had nothing to do with your injuries and, that, you probably sustained them elsewhere. Seeking treatment immediately following the accident will prevent the defense from coming up with such arguments and will, in fact, act as factual evidence that your injuries were the direct result of the car accident.
Failing to obtain evidence
Car accident claims, like any other legal processes, are largely won or lost based on evidence. Documenting the accident scene can help you preserve vital evidence for your case. It is important that you take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, any traffic control equipment at the accident scene, skid marks on the tarmac and the positions of the vehicles following the accident. Additionally, be sure to obtain names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident.
Getting involved in a car accident can be traumatizing. If the accident was the result of a negligent party, it is important that you work towards filing a car accident claim against the at-fault party. Avoiding these simple mistakes can help you file a successful claim and get the compensation you deserve for your damages.