How to Avoid Common Pitfalls after a Crash
After an automobile accident in which you are injured, an insurance adjuster will likely contact you. It may be an adjuster from your own insurance company, or it may be an insurance adjuster from the defendant’s insurance company. The adjuster for the defendant’s insurance company will probably act quickly. He will have the scene of the accident photographed, take pictures of the cars involved, talk with the insured, and will most likely try to talk with you. The adjusters are under no obligation to let you know what your rights are. They have a team of investigators and defense attorneys who are responsible for protecting the interests of the insurance company and not those of the injured party. While the adjuster may be quite pleasant and friendly, he is trained to take advantage of the fact that the injured party does not have knowledge or experience in how to proceed or even how to evaluate the case. In this blog post, we will discuss how to avoid common pitfalls after a car accident.
Do Not Admit Fault: Your initial thoughts on how the crash occurred may not be correct. If you admit you were partly to blame for the collision, you will likely be barred from making a recovery. If you are unsure of the facts, do not make a statement about them. For instance, if you do not know what your exact speed was right before the collision, you should not say you were probably going a little over the speed limit. People are often shaken up, injured, or confused at the scene of the accident, and they answer questions without fully understanding the ramifications of answering incorrectly. Once you make a statement at the scene, it is often hard to make any credible changes to it later.
Do Not Give a Recorded Statement: Insurance companies often try to quickly get you to make a recorded statement after a crash. Rarely does the statement help you in any way. While the statement will likely not be admissible in court, it can be used against you in the acceptance of liability and for settlement purposes.
Take Photos: Have pictures taken of the vehicles involved in the collision. Photographs of the damage to your car or the other cars involved in the collision can be one of the most persuasive pieces of evidence in your case. If there is significant damage to the cars, they will likely be moved away from the scene of the crash. If possible, make sure to have photographs taken of all vehicles involved. Once at the salvage yard, the vehicles will either be sold or destroyed, and the opportunity to have them photographed may be lost. If you do not have an attorney, make sure you take plenty of photos. If you do not own a camera, buy a disposable camera, and use all the film. Insurance companies will often take photos of the damage and those photos may later be used at trial.
Get medical attention: While you should never exaggerate the extent of your injuries, you should let the officer at the scene know you are hurt. If you are having some pain, do not assume it is nothing and that it will get better. If you prefer not to go to the emergency room in an ambulance, let the officer know you will follow up for treatment on your own. It is not uncommon for a person to believe he is fine at the scene, but then develop symptoms in the coming hours or days. If you are injured, you need to be seen by a medical provider as soon as possible.
Speak with a Car Accident Lawyers in Miami Today!
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against any responsible parties. Depending on the situation, the driver, owner, or manufacturer could be liable. Our legal team of Miami car accident lawyers have decades of experience handling car accident cases. With an extensive understanding of personal injury law, our team of attorneys can work with you every step of the way, offering the expert legal guidance you need to win your case. We will take care of all legal matters that relate to your claim or lawsuit and develop the best legal strategy for your individual case to ensure the successful recovery. We will not rest until we have developed and presented the most persuasive argument possible, and ensure you receive fair and just compensation for your damages. After being involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to think about is filing a lawsuit. However, you deserve compensation for your injuries and property damage. A consultation appointment takes less than an hour in most cases, and if you have unrecovered losses, it could wind up being one of the best investments of your time that you’ll ever make. Our attorneys are ready to provide proven legal representation and stand ready to protect your rights. We are available 24/7 to give you a free, no risk case consultation!
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