Common Mistakes Drivers Make Right After an Accident

Being in a car accident can be an intensely upsetting experience even if you’re able to walk away from the crash scene without any serious injuries. If a wreck caused by someone else’s negligent driving leads to you suffering serious physical harm, it can be even harder to keep your thoughts in order and make sure you’re doing the right things now so you can effectively seek financial restitution later.

Knowing a little bit in advance about what to do and what not to do after a traffic collision can be key to protecting yourself not just physically, but also financially and legally. Here are some common mistakes drivers make right after an accident which our car accident lawyers here at Lowenthal & Abrams can help make sure you avoid.

Not Calling the Police

Calling 911 and getting police to respond to the scene of your car accident is important for several reasons, not the least of which is the fact that you’re required by law to make sure anyone in need of emergency medical care after a wrecks gets the care they need right away. On top of that, though, police officers who respond to crash scenes will write up accident reports about what they saw and how they think the incident played out, and that report can be crucial evidence to incorporate into a lawsuit or settlement demand later on.

Not Taking—and Preserving—Pictures of the Crash Scene

Likewise, if you’re able to do so safely and don’t need emergency medical treatment yourself, it can be a big mistake not to create some photographic evidence before leaving the scene of a crash someone else was at fault for. In particular, you should focus on vehicle damage, any injuries you yourself suffered, nearby traffic patterns, and anything which could’ve impeded the vision of drivers involved in the incident.

Not Getting Professional Medical Care Right Away

If you feel fine right away being involved in an auto accident, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still making visiting your primary care physician, an urgent care clinic, or a hospital emergency room your top priority after lawfully leaving the accident scene. Many common car crash injuries don’t produce obvious symptoms until some time has passed after the actual incident, and failing to get those injuries treated and documented by licensed medical professionals will make it much harder to seek financial restitution for their negative effects.

Not Seeking Help from an Experienced Auto Accident Attorney

Finally, one of the most significant mistakes drivers make after car crashes is trying to go through insurance negotiations—let alone a lawsuit in civil court—on their own. Put bluntly, you’ll be going up against insurance adjusters and defense lawyers with years of experience contesting claims like yours, and that kind of opposition isn’t something anyone should expect to overcome alone.

Fortunately, you don’t have to handle your claim alone if you seek help first from the seasoned legal professionals at Lowenthal & Abrams. Call today for a free case consultation.