Personal Injury Attorney

What to Do After a Car Accident That Was Not Your Fault

Written by Scott J. Mowery

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, there are several things you should do right away. Do not leave the scene, don’t sign any statements indicating fault or promising to pay damages, and get all the information you can from the other driver’s insurance company. Seek medical attention for yourself and any injuries you suffer from the accident.

Avoid leaving the scene of a car accident

When involved in an auto accident, stay calm and seek medical attention. You should also move your car and any injured parties to a safe location. If possible, gather evidence. Leaving the scene is a crime in some states and can result in felony charges. There are many reasons why you should stay at the scene, including liability issues.

The responding police officer will probably want to know your name, contact information, and insurance information. Even if you are not at fault, you should still get the other driver’s information, such as license plate number. It is also a good idea to take photos of the accident scene and note down details of what happened. You may also want to keep all conversations short and avoid assigning blame. If it is safe to do so, try to keep the situation calm and make small talk to the other driver.

Don’t sign statements regarding fault or promise to pay for damages

It is very important to avoid signing statements stating fault, offering to pay for damages, and making any other statements on the scene. The insurance company will want to have your side of the story to help resolve the claim. If you refuse to comply with these requests, the insurance company could deny payment and even deny your claim altogether. If you want your claim to be resolved quickly, you should cooperate with the adjuster as much as possible.

When signing statements stating fault, make sure you are completely aware of the facts surrounding the accident. Never agree to make any promises about fault or damage if the other driver didn’t have the necessary funds to pay for their damages. It may end up being difficult to get the compensation you deserve, and it could also lead to traffic violations or higher insurance rates.

Seeking medical treatment

If you are involved in a car accident that was not your fault, it is important that you seek medical attention right away. Often, there are hidden injuries that don’t show up until days or weeks later, making it crucial to get them treated as soon as possible. A doctor can identify hidden injuries before you realize they are there and help you get treatment quickly. In addition, records of your medical treatment will help you build a strong legal case if you decide to pursue a legal case.

Even if your injuries seem minor, you should visit the doctor as soon as possible. Waiting even a week can harm your case. In addition to being dangerous to your health, waiting too long may allow insurance companies to say that you were not injured in the accident and can’t make a claim. You may also be reluctant to visit a doctor after an accident, or you might be unsure of where to turn. Fortunately, you can visit your family doctor or an emergency room physician. Just be sure to follow up consistently after the visit.

Filing a claim

There are a few things you should keep in mind when filing a claim after a car accident that wasn’t your fault. First, it’s essential to document the details of the incident. You should take photos of any damage and also take the license plate of the other driver, as this will help you later on in your insurance claim. Also, be sure to write down the names and addresses of the drivers and passengers in the other car, as well as any witnesses. A copy of this information page should be kept in your car.

When filing a claim after a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you must try to minimize your injuries and damages. If the accident was your fault, you should try to collect as much evidence as possible. The police report is very important and can be used to leverage your case. You should also try to write down the details of the accident, including the time and place of the accident. Even if you don’t have any serious injuries, you should write down the details of the crash in the police report.

About the author

Scott J. Mowery

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