It’s common for people to feel overwhelmed when they’re involved in a car accident, even if they don’t have any major injuries. Those who are involved in an accident do have rights, but many people aren’t sure of how to protect them and to avoid being found liable for the accident. Some of the ways to protect basic rights during a car accident investigation include the following.
Speak With a Lawyer About the Case
It is always a good idea to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. Lawyers like those at Gauthier and Maier Law Firm know how to help protect their client’s rights and to help their clients get more compensation after an accident. They can go up against the insurance companies to help get a larger settlement and make sure the client doesn’t have to pay out of pocket.
Avoid Apologizing or Admitting Fault
Do not apologize for the accident or admit fault in any way. Apologizing can be seen as admitting fault, which will make it far more difficult or impossible to get compensation for the accident. Many people do apologize at the scene because they aren’t feeling well or because they’re scared after the accident, but it is important to avoid this. Also, do not try to figure out what happened at the scene and admit fault. It may turn out that the accident was caused by the other driver, but the one who admits fault may not be able to get compensation.
Collect Evidence at the Scene
It is a good idea to collect evidence at the scene before the vehicles are moved. This should be done right after the accident, as it will help to show what the weather was like, what the area is like, how the accident happened, and more. Take photos of the accident and save each of them to provide to the lawyer in case they’re needed. It is a good idea to take as many photos as possible, as they can all be potentially helpful.
Seek Medical Treatment
Even if a driver feels ok in the immediate aftermath, they should still seek medical care. This allows them to check to make sure they don’t have any hidden or internal injuries and to start getting treatment if needed. It also creates a medical record of the injuries sustained in the accident, which can be used to help determine the full amount of compensation they need. This will be used by the lawyer to negotiate a settlement.
Avoid Posting on Social Media
Avoid posting on social media. While many people will want to post a photo or two to let followers know about the accident, this is never a good idea. Even if the post doesn’t go viral, it can still be seen by the opposing party or their insurance company, and they will try to use anything in the photos or post to deny the claim. Something that might seem innocent could end up having a huge impact on the case.
If you’ve been in a car accident, use these tips to make sure you protect your rights. Speak with a lawyer about the accident to learn more about how they can help and how you can get the compensation you need to recover financially.