4 Car Accident Mistakes That Can Hurt You

In tennis, when a player loses a point because of their own mistake, that’s called an “unforced error.” Too many unforced errors and you’ll likely lose that tennis match.

Unforced errors by individuals injured in auto accidents can also be costly. Mistakes you make after a car accident can weaken your ability to recover compensation from the driver or others whose negligence or recklessness caused your injuries. Some errors can cause you to lose the ability to seek damages altogether.

It can be hard to keep your head on straight in the aftermath of a serious accident, especially if you were seriously hurt. But try to avoid these four car accident mistakes that can hurt you:

• Leaving the scene. Don’t let the term “hit-and-run” fool you. Leaving the scene of an accident can be a serious crime no matter whether you were driving the car that hit someone or whether you were in the car that was hit. Fleeing the scene will make a difficult situation much worse; it can result in jail time and fines, and it certainly won’t help your personal injury claim if you make yourself look like the one at fault by driving away before exchanging information with the other driver, rendering assistance, or speaking with police.
• Not getting information. As noted, it is crucial that you get the name, license number, contact information, and insurance information from the other driver (and not saying anything about your possible fault for the accident). If there were any witnesses to the accident, get their names and contact information as well. These folks could be the key to your case, and if you or your attorney have no idea who they are or how to get in touch with them, you are essentially throwing evidence out the window.
• Not getting medical attention. It’s not unusual for people who feel okay after an accident to discover days, weeks, or months later that they have in fact sustained an injury. But since they feel fine after the accident, they don’t go to the ER or their doctor. As I discuss here, this is a huge mistake that not only can keep you from getting the care that could prevent any injuries from getting worse, it can hurt your claim for compensation. You may wind up settling for a lesser amount only to discover later that you sustained a serious injury that should warrant more compensation and you are depriving yourself of crucial medical evidence that could be used at trial to prove the extent of your injuries.
• Not calling a lawyer. Even if you are unsure whether you have a claim or want to seek compensation, you should contact and retain a lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. Whether it’s me or someone else, talking to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible will allow them to start taking the necessary steps to protect your rights. You could lose your claim for damages altogether if you wait too long. Additionally, insurance company investigators and attorneys will already be hard at work right after your accident trying to find ways to deny or low-ball any claims for damages. The longer you wait to meet with and retain an attorney, the longer the head start for the insurance company.

Parian Law Firm: Metro Atlanta Car Accident Attorney

At Parian Law Firm in metro Atlanta, Georgia, we represent injury victims exclusively and are committed to getting justice and compensation for our clients. If you have been injured in a car accident, please call The Parian Law Firm at (770) 727-5550 or chat live online with a member of our staff today. We can discuss your situation, evaluate your potential claim, and advise you of your options.