Being involved in a vehicular accident is truly an unfortunate scenario that people don’t really want to be part of. However, this road risk is sometimes inevitable because of several factors. There are instances wherein extreme weather conditions increases the risk of vehicular accidents. In the same manner, an overlooked vehicle maintenance may also be a cause of road mishaps.
In the event that you do get into a car accident, here are some of the things that you should never do after the incident.
Leave Immediately
If you are involved in a minor car accident, the first thing that one normally does is to check if everyone is alright. However, one common mistake is leaving the scene immediately. According to Brian D. Guralnick, founder of a personal injury law firm, you should stay at the scene, even after checking that no one was seriously hurt. Additionally, you should exchange insurance information with the other party involved and report the incident to law enforcement.
Lose Your Cool
It is inevitable for anyone to get angry or frustrated after being involved in a car accident. However, another thing that you should remember to avoid immediately after a vehicular accident is to lose your cool. Staying calm will help you and the other party to assess the situation better and perform the necessary steps to document the accident.
Instantly Admit Fault
Another thing to avoid right after a car accident is to immediately admit fault. In the same manner, you should not apologize, especially while in conversation with the insurance company. This is because the insurance company that is liable to pay you the claim may use your statement against you in the long run. Thus, the best thing to do is to narrate the details of the accident in full honesty.
Neglect Follow Through
More often than not, the aftermath of a car accident proves to be tedious and inconvenient. This is because it involves getting in touch with your insurance provider, as well as the insurance provider of the other party. It may also involve getting medical advice, as well as legal proceedings. Thus, it is important to assess yourself if you had any persistent health problems right after the accident because if so, you need to seek help from a doctor immediately. In parallel, you may also want to get in touch with a lawyer, especially if the other party is threatening legal action against you.
While all these may take much of your time, you should not avoid these processes after a car accident. If you don’t follow through on what needs to be done, there is a great possibility that you will not be able to claim what is due. Nevertheless, you should not accept any direct payment offers from third parties because this may be deemed as an unfair settlement later on.
A car accident is a scenario that no one really wants to be part of. However, in the event that you are indeed part of a vehicular accident, make sure that you are aware of the things that you should do and the things that you should avoid. This is to ensure your safety and overall well-being in all aspects.