Do you know what to do after a car accident? You could be entitled to compensation if someone else is responsible for your injuries, but taking certain actions can put you at risk of losing that money.
Follow this list of dos and don’ts to protect yourself after a collision and position yourself well for a strong car accident claim or lawsuit.
Do: Ensure Safety First
Check everyone for injuries. Pull your car off the road or onto the median to prevent a secondary crash with oncoming traffic, if possible.
Do: Call the Police
Call 911 to bring police and emergency medical responders to the accident scene. The responding officer will create a written report about the incident, issue any citations, and include a preliminary interpretation of who is responsible for the crash. Your attorney for the automobile accident and insurance company will want a copy of the police report later.
Note: Arizona law requires motorists to report crashes involving injury, death, or property damage of more than $2,000.
Do: Document the Scene
Document the accident scene by taking photographs of:
- Any damage to the vehicles involved in the crash
- Visible injuries
- Road conditions
- Skid marks on the road
- Traffic signs
- Debris or other obstructions
This information will later prove helpful in your law firm’s investigation of the accident.
Don’t: Admit Fault
After a car crash accident, people often have an impulse to apologize to the other person. Avoid saying, “I’m sorry.” The insurance company could later use that simple statement to pin fault for the accident on you, even if the other driver’s negligence really caused it. Don’t say too much when talking to the other driver after a car accident, and never admit fault.
Don’t: Post on Social Media
Another common inclination after a car crash is to post about it on social media. It’s natural to want to inform your friends and family members about what you’ve been through, but the other driver’s insurance company may look at those posts and try to use them against you. Insurance adjusters are trained to take potentially incriminating comments out of context to wiggle out of responsibility for an accident.
Keep in mind that even posts that say nothing about the car accident could jeopardize your case. For example, if you file a personal injury claim for whiplash and post a photo a few weeks later at a dance party, the insurance company could argue that you exaggerated your injuries and reduce your compensation or deny the claim altogether.
Contact Our Phoenix Car Accident Attorney For Legal Advice
One of the most important things to do after a traffic accident is to seek advice from an experienced personal injury attorney. Silkman Law Firm Injury and Accident Lawyer is a Phoenix law firm with a reputation for excellent service and aggressive legal representation. Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer.
