Being involved in a car wreck can be scary – being injured in a car wreck is even more traumatic. Knowing what mistakes to avoid after a car wreck can greatly improve your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve and ensuring you are not stuck paying for the negligence of someone else.
1. Not photographing the car wreck.
The last thing you want to do after a car wreck is take pictures or video of your vehicle and the roadway. Accident details, however, can be crucial evidence in your case and should not be left out of the picture as they should provide a clear understanding of all of the details involved. The evidence preserved by taking pictures or videos will give your Attorney the ammunition they need to win you case, especially if your case becomes contested.
2. Not seeking medical attention.
The first rule of thumb after a car wreck is always to seek medical attention. If the damage you suffered was extensive and is impacting your life in some way – especially if you’re pregnant – you need to see a doctor right away. Sometimes even minor injuries can result in something worse, so it’s a good idea to get help as soon as possible – in fact sometimes the full extent of your injuries may not be apparent until 3 or more days after the wreck. Doing this will help you get proper medical attention, improve your chances of achieving a full recovery, and ensure your medical bills look reasonable and appropriate.
3. Not filing a police report.
You may be tempted to agree to settle the car accident between yourself and the other party, leaving the insurance and police out of it. Don’t make this mistake – by choosing not to file a police report, you give up one of the best pieces of evidence you can have – an official Government report that says the other party is at fault. If you choose not to file a police report, you allow the other driver to come up with any version of events they wish. Additionally, the police report will indicate the severity of accident and contain the other driver’s insurance and personal information.
4. Not hiring an Attorney.
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Hiring an Attorney immediately after a car wreck is the smartest move you can make and will do more to ensure you get the compensation you deserve than any other single factor. Typically hiring a Car Wreck Attorney will not cost you anything when you hire them – in fact, a Car Wreck Attorney will typically only get paid if they recover money for you. In a recent case we took a Client who had been fighting with the insurance Company for over a year before hiring us – after 30 days we had increased the offer by over 20x to the policy limits. Hiring a North Georgia Car Wreck Attorney is the best decision you can make after being injured in a car wreck.
5. Talking to the Insurance Company without your Attorney.
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If you’ve been involved in a car wreck, the last thing you want to do is speak to the insurance company alone. Of course you will need to file a claim and notify the insurance (yours and the other drivers) that the wreck occurred, but you should avoid giving any details other than what is necessary – where it happened, when it happened, and who was at fault. However, the other driver’s insurance and even your own insurance company may want you to make a statement after a wreck. We never advise this. The insurance company does not have your interest at heart – the insurance company wants to keep costs down and profits up by paying you as little as possible. Anything that you say, however small, may be used to try and deny your claim or reduce your compensation. Always speak with a North Georgia Car Wreck Attorney before giving any statement to the insurance company.
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