When you get in your car and drive, there are risks you assume, and one of these risks is the possibility of getting in a car accident. If you are involved in an accident that you believe is not your fault, there are certain steps you should take to protect yourself and settle the case. Here are some of the main steps to know about if you ever encounter this type of situation.
NEVER TAKE THE BLAME
Even if you suspect that you are completely at fault for the accident, never take the blame. You should never state “I’m sorry” or “I didn’t even see you there.” These types of statements show admission of fault, and you should avoid saying anything that would cause anyone on the accident scene to suspect you caused the accident.
The purpose of avoiding these statements is to allow the police to investigate the scene to see what really happened. After an accident occurs, your adrenaline increases in the body, and this can impair your thinking and cause you to say things you don’t really mean.
In fact, when you get out of your car after the accident, say as little as possible. You might want to check the other party to see if they are okay afterwards, but do not offer a lot of information when you talk to them.
TELL THE POLICE THE INFORMATION YOU KNOW
Once the accident happens, you should call the police, unless someone already has. The police need to come to the accident scene for several reasons. The first is to document the accident to create an accident report. The second is to see if anyone involved needs medical help. If you feel any type of pain or injury, go to the hospital. Police also come to accident scenes to clean them up and provide assistance for those involved.
When the police are there, they will ask you questions. While it’s important to tell the truth, you may want to avoid stating things that could cause them to believe you caused the accident. It’s also important to tell them about any suspicions you have about the other driver. Do you think he or she was drinking? Why do you think that? Do you suspect the driver was distracted? If so, why?
The police will want to know exactly what you know about the accident, and they can use any information you offer to help recreate the scene to determine fault.
TAKE PICTURES
After the accident occurs, you should also take pictures of everything involved. This includes pictures of both vehicles, skid marks you see on the road, debris from the cars that flew off, and anything else that appears important to you. Take more pictures than you think you need, because you can use them later on when settling the case.
AVOID SETTLING WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY
When you eventually leave the accident scene, you should report the accident to the responsible party’s insurance company. If this person’s insurance plans on covering the claim, they will try to settle the case with you quickly, but you should not agree to this.
Instead, you should talk to a lawyer about your case. A lawyer can help you determine how much compensation you should receive for the accident, and this will help you receive a larger compensation check when you finally settle the case.
Settling a car accident case on your own is never an easy task. In fact, you will find that settling with a lawyer is both easier and more beneficial in most cases. Call A González Law Firm, P.L.L.C. to learn more about your rights as an accident victim.