If you plan to pursue compensation after an auto accident, there are some do’s and don’ts that you should probably be aware of. Making any of these mistakes after an accident can make it harder for you and a San Mateo County, California car accident lawyer to make a case and fight for fair compensation.
What Happens If I Do Not Call the Cops After an Auto Accident?
This is one of the biggest mistakes that you can make. Any accident that causes injuries or a certain amount of damage must be reported immediately. Simply calling the police to the scene of the accident can fulfill this requirement for you.
The police make a report and this can be used later in your personal injury case. So not only are you violating the law when you do not call the cops to the accident scene, but you are also throwing away a potentially valuable piece of evidence.
Should I Take the First Insurance Company Offer?
This is one common mistake we see accident victims make. They just want the situation to be over with. They receive an offer from an insurance company and it seems like it’s a lot of money. So they take it.
You have to remember that the insurance companies want to get out of situations like these for as little money as possible. That means that this first offer is going to be a low one. You may find later find that it was not nearly enough to cover expenses stemming from the accident, like medical bills or lost wages.
What Happens if I Refuse Medical Care After an Auto Accident?
If the cops hear that there are injuries at the scene, they could alert paramedics. If the paramedics talk to you and you refuse care, that could make it harder to argue that the accident caused you serious injuries. If the injuries were so serious, the other side’s lawyer might argue, then why did you refuse treatment at the time? So even if your adrenaline tells you that you are just fine, turning down medical care can be one of the biggest mistakes you can make.
Should I Talk to Anyone Else Involved in the Accident?
You also need to be sure that you have exchanged info with everyone involved in the accident, including any eyewitnesses who step forward. If you do not have contact or insurance info for the other driver involved, it can be nearly impossible to sue them for damages later.
Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer?
A compassionate car accident attorney from our firm can help you pursue the compensation that you deserve. A lawyer can also speak on your behalf, so you do not have to worry about saying the wrong things to insurance companies or other attorneys.
Schedule a Consultation
When you are ready to pursue a personal injury case, contact the Law Offices of Allister R. Liao. We can tell you more about how an experienced car accident attorney can help you fight for the kind of settlement you deserve.
