5 Things You Should Never Do After an Accident
After a car crash, you are probably going to be feeling extremely nervous and freaked out about the proper steps to take after being involved in a crash. Maybe you’re concerned about your insurance coverage and whether your injury and/or property damage will be covered by your policy. You may be concerned about the seriousness of your injury and whether you had any fault for the accident that took place. It is important to stay calm during this difficult time. Of course, that is easier said than done. However, the actions you take immediately after a car accident can dictate the overall success of any potential personal injury claim or property damage claim in the future.
Here are 5 things you should never do after an accident:
Never confess your guilt. You should never confess your fault to the other party’s insurance adjuster, and especially, you should never make the mistake of agreeing to a recorded statement without consulting with a legal professional. In some cases, it is best to wait until you know about physical damage coverage before even thinking about giving an informal statement to the insurance company. This should be considered especially when it comes to car accident cases where liability is being disputed.
Don’t Flee the Scene. Regardless of how harmless an accident appears, you’re required by law to check on the other driver, exchange information, and contact law enforcement. If any property damage or injuries have been inflicted, it is an automatic misdemeanor to leave the scene of an accident. Depending on the scenario, fleeing could also be punishable by fines or jail time.
Don’t skip giving your health care providers your health coverage information. If you do not provide your doctors and the hospital with your health coverage information, your health insurance company may later deny payment on the basis that you waited too long. Every health insurance policy has deadlines by which you must give your doctors your coverage information.
Don’t discuss details or potential causes of the accident. Remember, after an accident you may not fully understand all the facts surrounding your accident. You likely need more information to make a clear assessment of the cause or conditions contributing to the accident. Additionally, pure speculation to the other driver or passengers or to bystanders can affect witness testimony later in court and may be used to devalue your insurance claim. Hold off on any assessment and focus only on objective facts.
Never lie to an insurance company. If you are unsure of the answer to a question posed by the insurance company, you should consult with a personal injury attorney who can advise you. Sometimes clients lie or omit facts, and these lies do not help them, no matter how much they think they do. Lies cannot do anything but harm your case.
Speak with a Accident Attorney Miami Today!
Insurers generally send adjusters quickly to accident victims after an accident to try to settle claims for the lowest amount they can. However, don’t be fooled. You have a right to seek fair compensation for your injury. That is why it is best not to accept an offer from an insurance company without talking to a legal professional who is looking out for your best interests. Our firm provides free legal consultations without any obligations. If you decide that you want us to handle your case, we operate on a contingency fee, which means that you do not owe us anything until we get compensation for you. We have dealt with nearly every type of personal injury case imaginable. Not all personal injury law firms in South Florida are the same. If you are wondering who the right attorney is to assist you with your injury, there are several factors to think about. Our attorneys are experienced, have a proven track record of success and they work extremely hard for our clients. We serve clients throughout Florida including those in the following areas:
Miami-Dade: Aventura, Coral Gables, Doral, Fontainebleau, Hialeah, Homestead, Kendall, Miami, Miami Beach, Miami Lakes, North Miami, Tamiami, and Westchester.
Broward: Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, and Weston; and Palm Beach County including Boca Raton, Lake Worth, and West Palm Beach.
