The choices you make after an accident can affect you far into the future. Directly after the wreck happens you might be confused on what to do next and this could be a new experience for you so are uneducated on what not to do afterward. Perry & Young pray that you are never in an accident, however, if you are it would behoove you to take a little time and read this article to know exactly what to do if you ever encounter this stressful situation.
There are a lot of “what if’s” that happen after an accident; people go into panic mode with worry.
What if the police report is not written accurately according to your point of view, what if the accident is not handled correctly, what if my insurance refuses to pay, and what about my medical bills?
Perry & Young are here to answer all your questions and concerns and by representing you we will make sure that you do not have to worry about the “what if’s”.
Here is the top list of things that you should never do after falling victim to someone else’s negligence.
- Not Calling the Police
If you are involved with another driver and are involved in an accident always call the police especially if there are any damages to your property. Injuries do not always show their face until later and a police report will assist you in obtaining medical care at a later date. It is always better to be safe than sorry. The police are there to assist you in collecting important evidence and determine the cause of the accident. This will be immensely helpful when it comes time to file your insurance claim.
- Not Taking Pictures
It is very advantageous that the majority of us have cell phones with us at all times because of the camera feature. It is a particularly good idea to take as many pictures as possible providing you are not seriously injured. Take pictures of the accident, injuries, location, negligent parties license plate, any cameras that are on a building near the crash site, and skid marks. The pictures may come in handy for gathering information for the insurance company and possibly an attorney.
- Not Getting Witness Statements and Information
Many people fall short on obtaining witness names, phone numbers, and possibly a written statement. A witness statement might be the determining factor when a negligent party attempts to deny being at fault to avoid insurance and legal ramifications. It is not uncommon that a witness doesn’t have the time at the scene to write out exactly what they saw so it is perfectly fine to just get their name and number and contact them at a later date. It is best to try and obtain a written statement in a reasonable amount of time because the incident is fresh in their mind.
- Admitting Fault
Regardless of how you feel about “what happened” never admit fault after a car accident, even if you feel like you might have been a contributing factor. For example, you were changing the radio station while going through a green light and were hit by someone who ran the red light. Although it was not a good idea to be distracted by the radio ultimately the accident was not your fault. There are a vast range of emotions that flow after an accident and some people’s first reaction is to apologize- Do not do it for admits fault.
- Not Filing an Insurance Claim
Many people are concerned that their insurance will go up after an accident and do not file the claim. If you end up being responsible for the accident and there are expensive damages or injuries involved; filing with your insurance company can keep you safe from bankruptcy at a later date.
- Not Seeing Your Doctor
If you do not seek medical attention within 14 days, you could lose your PIP benefits that you pay for as part of your insurance premium. It is incredibly common for someone to “feel fine” after an accident and as time goes on, they notice spasms or strains in the body as a direct result of being in an accident.
Perry & Young can help you get the most from your insurance claim and assist you in obtaining the compensation that is due to you. Call us for a free consultation (850) 215-7777 and also visit us on our Facebook Page.
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