Common Mistakes To Avoid After A Car Accident

In the moments after a car accident, it can be scary remembering what you need to do. If you are involved in a crash, knowing what not to say or do can ensure your insurance claim goes smoothly. You may be feeling disorientated as to what happened so it is important to keep these things in mind so you don't make any costly mistakes. Don't Admit Fault Even if you're pretty certain you are to blame for the car accident, there is a way of determining fault which is best left to the experts. Don't let anyone force fault on you. If you're giving a statement to the police, this rule still applies. Rather tell the officer what happened as best you can remember but don't admit fault. Stick to the facts and let the insurance company review those facts to determine who really is at fault. Admitting to the crash, especially on the record, can come back to haunt you if the other driver decides to sue for damages. Avoid Negotiations In a small car accident where no injuries are incurred and damage is minimal, you may be tempted to keep the incident off-record. You and the other driver may want to take care of the damage without involving the insurance provider to avoid penalties. This is not a good idea. Negotiating with the other driver to pay for damages can put you in an awkward position later on if the incident turns out to be more serious than initially thought. Insurance companies offer a window period during which you need to inform them of the car accident. Once that window closes, they could well deny coverage for the accident. So if the other driver changes their mind about filing a claim against you, you could find yourself out of pocket. You could also find yourself the victim of insurance fraud by neglecting to get the facts on record immediately, leaving the situation wide open for other drivers to inflate their claim. Avoid Leaving Immediately This is obvious, but the desire to head home and relax can be strong. Avoid leaving the scene of the car accident until you have everything you need from the other driver and have given a statement to the police if required. If the other driver is trying to persuade you to exchange contact details and talk later, a red flag should be raised. Make sure you get all the contact information needed from the other driver, as well as their insurance information. If there were any witnesses, get their contact details too. If there are any injuries, call the police and wait at the scene without changing anything. Let the Experts Handle the Details The best thing you can do to protect yourself if you have had an accident is leave it to the experts. Always be polite to the other driver, make sure no one is hurt and then do not discuss what has happened. If you require legal representation or help with your claim, talk to the experts at CloreLaw. You can call them on 843.722.8070.