Time can seem to pass by in a blur when you’ve been involved in a car accident. You may struggle to remember the details of the wreck itself, and you might not clearly remember what was said to you, what you said, or who was present at the scene of the crash. Fortunately, the picture of your accident will probably become clearer as time passes and you’re able to settle down, but this highlights an important aspect of what could be your personal injury case: your actions following an accident can have tremendous implications.
Why your actions post-accident matter
In the aftermath of your wreck, you’re going to be confronted by a number of individuals. The police, paramedics, the other driver, and insurance adjusters may all reach out to you in minutes, hours, or days following your crash, perhaps at a time when you’re still shaken by the events. However, even when you’re under a lot of stress and you’re feeling the spectrum of emotions, you have to be careful with what you say and do. After all, your actions and statements can be used against you in the insurance claims process and in the legal arena if you choose to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. In other words, if you’re not careful, then you could be denied the financial resources that you need and deserve.
What you shouldn’t do after a car accident
There are a lot of things that you should try to avoid doing after a car accident. They include:
- Making any statements that could be construed as admitting fault. This includes apologizing in any fashion. Instead, you should keep your statements brief and to the facts that you know.
- Talking to the other party, as you may be locked into statements that are harmful to your case and that may muddy the waters as far as what was said and how the events of the accident occurred.
- Losing your temper, as this may end up being reflected in a police report that could then be damaging to your case.
- Failing to seek medical treatment. You should make sure that your injuries are properly treated in the aftermath of your wreck, but you also want to be sure to follow your doctor’s recommendations so that you can properly claim your damages and secure the medical care that you need to effectively treat your injuries.
- Neglecting to discuss your case with experts. Even if the facts of your case seem straightforward, you may end up facing legal complexities that, if left unaddressed, may put your ability to recover compensation at risk. Therefore, you might want to consider speaking to medical and employment experts who can attest to your damages, as well as someone like an accident reconstruction expert who may be able to help you establish causation and liability.
An attorney may be able to assist you in the aftermath of your accident
If you don’t know how to get a handle on your situation following an accident, don’t worry. An attorney who is well-versed in personal injury claims can help you navigate the aftermath of your wreck while preserving evidence to support a personal injury lawsuit. If you want to learn more about what that kind of representation looks like, then we encourage you to research those firms that interest you most and to reach out to those that you think will give you the advocacy that you need.
