The immediate aftermath of a car accident can be hectic and stressful, and that’s assuming no one is injured. It can be difficult to keep your wits about you enough to contact your insurance company let alone figure out what to do to preserve a potential claim against the person (or persons) who hit you. A licensed auto accident lawyer Boca Raton FL residents can seek legal advice from cannot be replaced but luckily for you, here’s a list of what not to do after an accident so you know what to do after an accident.
1) You don’t adequately document the damage.
The best time to document the damages to your car – as well as the damages to the other car – is at the accident site. Provided the cars are not blocking traffic and it is safe for you to walk around the vehicles and document the damage, you should get as many pictures and even video of the damage to your car and the car of the other driver. Do not rely on the other driver or your insurance adjustor to obtain these photographs because they may not share them with you and they may not adequately document the extent of your damages.
2) You don’t adequately document the scene.
Perhaps as important as documenting the damage through photographs and video, is to document the scene. This is because many factors come into play in an accident from weather to lighting to construction zones. Documenting those conditions can mean the difference between a winning claim and a losing claim. Even taking a video of the surroundings may give enough information about the conditions in the area to help determine fault.
3) You talk too much.
This is a difficult one because on the one hand, you need to be forthcoming about your information and your knowledge of what happened. On the other hand, you do not want to give an opinion as to your degree of fault in the matter. The best course to follow in this case, is to speak substantively about the accident only with the police officer who is dispatched to the accident. Even then, it is best to not give opinions as to fault, but rather to simply explain your version of the events and give any facts that may seem relevant. If no officer is sent to the scene, then the same rule still applies when you go to the police station to make a report about the accident. Similarly, when speaking to your own insurance company, sticking with the facts is the best option.
4) You don’t contact an attorney.
Remember that your insurance company has attorneys who may reach out to you to help with your claim, but these attorneys do not represent you. It is always a good idea to get your own representation when dealing with the insurance company of the other driver as well as your own insurance company. This is the only way to ensure that you have someone representing your interests in the matter.
Car accidents are a fact of life, but with these tips, you can make the best of the situation.
Thanks to our friends and contributors from Eric H. Luckman, P.A. for their insight into finding an attorney.
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