Last year almost 6.5 million vehicle crashes took place in the United States. Have you suffered an auto accident? Even if you answered no, you should have your contingency plan of what to do in case of a car accident.
Learning what you should do after a car accident will help you obtain the best outcome. Remember insurance companies want to pay as little as they can.
Don't know how to protect yourself during a car collision? Here are the top 5 things you should and shouldn't do after a traffic accident.
Call the Police
Calling the police may seem like an afterthought since it isn't required to file a claim with your insurance company. Believe or not, a police report of your car accident can help you during your insurance claim process. You may also use it in court if you or the injured parties file a claim.
Don't Skip Visiting Your Doctor
Even if you didn't suffer a hard collision, you shouldn't skip visiting your doctor. You may think you're suffering a simple crick in the neck, but it may be a whiplash injury instead. Your doctor can tell you more about your injuries and document them on your medical record.
Take Notes and Photos of the Scene
Taking notes and photos of the traffic accident is vital to maintain an accurate account of the incident.
You may think you'll remember every detail of the accident. However, you may forget facts you'll need to reference during your claim process. If you take notes, you'll be able to review your notes so you don't miss anything.
Don't Admit Fault for the Auto Accident
You may think admitting your fault will earn you pity from the other parties. Contrarily, it may end up costing you more. Your insurance policy contract states you can't assume responsibility or liability under any circumstance.
If you admit fault for a traffic accident, your insurance company won't cover any damages from the collision. Also, admitting liability will put you in a tough spot if the injured parties file a legal claim.
They will use your admission in court making you fully responsible for the damages.
Consult an Attorney
While you may think leaving everything to your insurance company is the best approach, you should consider consulting with an attorney.
Car accident attorneys know how to defend you from any claim stemming from the accident and obtain the best outcome. A lawyer can also negotiate with your insurance company to get the best payout to cover your damages and injuries.
Ask For Help After Auto Accidents
Learning the things you should and shouldn't do after an auto accident is vital to obtain the best outcome. It's important to document the event as much as you can. Make sure to obtain all personal information from the other parties immediately after the traffic accident.
You'll need to provide this information to file any claim with your insurance company or in court. Take photos of the scene and contact the policy so there's a record of the incident. While your insurance company may take care of everything, you should consider consulting with an attorney to protect yourself and obtain the best outcome.
