When you’ve been in an accident, it’s normal to feel in a state of shock, controlled by adrenaline. While staying easy and collected is the ideal, we recognize it is not easy.
In a traumatic state, many people forget crucial steps that can aid faster recovery and help obtain compensation. If you’ve been in a car accident in West Virginia, here are things you should avoid doing.
Do Not Flee the Accident Scene
If an accident occurs and you’re involved in any way, stop, pull over, and wait for emergency services. Regardless of whether you believe you did not cause the accident or are in a hurry, do not flee the scene. Fleeing an accident scene without notifying the police or getting the other driver’s information can leave you facing serious criminal charges.
Do Not Fail to Call the Police
Dial 911 immediately after the accident, regardless of the significance of the damage and your injuries. When the police arrive, they’ll conduct a preliminary investigation of the incident, which they will include in their report. Apart from this report being crucial if you intend to file a claim, medical personnel can address injuries based on the findings.
Do Not Admit Fault
Avoid apologizing to the other driver and admitting fault without a clear understanding of what happened. You want to avoid apologetic wording because they may use it against you, and may void your ability to recover damages. Instead, keep from making a statement about the accident until you have talked with your lawyer.
Do Not Go On Your Way As If Nothing Happened
Your body releases endorphins and adrenaline after a car accident, which can make you believe you are fine. Moreover, some injuries do not present any symptoms for hours or days following an accident, potentially worsening with time. Due to these reasons, among others, many people still seek medical care in an accident as if nothing happened.
However, even if you feel fine, you need to seek medical care and avoid making statements that deny your injury. It will be more difficult to recover damages or obtain compensation if you skip a doctor’s visit or deny your injuries.
Do Not Post On Social Media
Resist the urge to post about what you have been through, especially if you intend to file a claim. Defense lawyers may search for loopholes to discredit your claim. That includes going to your social media handles to find something they can use against you, thus interfering with your ability to recover damages.
Do Not Sign Anything Without Your Lawyer
Insurance companies may contact you to ask you to sign legal documents such as medical authorization releases. Do not sign anything or make statements without guidance from an experienced attorney.
Do Not Fail to Gather Evidence
Personal injury claims rely on evidence; you need irrefutable evidence to pursue and obtain compensation for damages. Capture photographs and videos of the scene and get witnesses’ information after the incident.
Conclusion
“What you do after an accident is crucial because it can make or break your injury claim,” says auto accident lawyer Jan Dils of Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law. Working with a West Virginia personal injury attorney can improve your chances of successfully recovering damages.
