If you’ve been in an accident, you know it’s a serious issue. But you might not know that what you do after the accident can affect your personal injury claim. Sadly, even a small mistake in the moments, days, or weeks after an accident can affect your ability to collect the damages you need to pay for medical bills, lost time from work, and much more.
Our last article listed some of the steps that you should take after an accident. This article will discuss some of the things that you shouldn’t do after an accident. Avoiding these mistakes can help you protect your legal right to compensation after an accident.
Of course, we all make mistakes. If you believe that you’ve already made one of these mistakes, don’t worry. Your Alabama car accident attorney can help you find a way to fix most problems.
5 Things Not to Do After an Accident
Here are some things you should avoid doing after an accident. Any of these mistakes could make it difficult for you to receive damages for your accident injuries.
- DON’T say anything about fault
Never say the accident was your fault, even if you think it was. Further investigation might prove that you were wrong. Also, the insurance company wants to deny your claim. They will use simple statements like, “I’m sorry,” to prove that the accident was your fault. Limit your conversation to exchanging information and little more.
- DON’T give a recorded statement
Insurance companies often ask injured people to give recorded statements after accidents. If you say something that admits to fault or downplays your injuries, the insurance company will use it as an excuse to deny your claim. Do NOT give a recorded statement without the help of an experienced Birmingham accident attorney.
- DON’T sign anything without talking to a lawyer
The insurance company will probably make a settlement offer shortly after the accident. Don’t accept it. The offer will probably be too low to cover the cost of your injuries. Also, some injuries take months to appear. An early settlement offer won’t cover these later injuries. Don’t accept a settlement without speaking to a qualified Alabama car accident lawyer.
- DON’T post about the accident on social media
Your social media posts can hurt your personal injury claim. Insurance companies and lawyers will look at these posts. (Even if you set your accounts to private, the courts can order you to let them.) A post that says, “The car came out of nowhere” could be used to show that you were not paying attention and were the cause of the accident.
Be careful about non-accident posts as well. If you claim that the accident caused emotional injuries, posting pictures where you are smiling on vacation can be used to undercut that argument.
- DON’T wait to call an attorney
Don’t wait to call an Alabama accident attorney. There are legal deadlines for all Alabama cases. You need to see an attorney as soon as possible to ensure you don’t miss any critical deadlines.
Also, as you can see, there are many things you can do after an accident that can hurt your accident claim. An experienced Alabama accident lawyer will help you with these dos and don’ts and prevent you from making these mistakes. From dealing with insurance companies to evaluating settlement offers, a personal injury lawyer can help you protect your legal rights.
More questions about what to do after an accident?
As you can see, the decisions you make after an auto accident can hurt your chances of winning your accident claim. If you’ve been injured in a car accident and have questions about your next steps or any other issues, please contact Collins Law, LLC. Our firm handles all types of motor vehicle accidents. We can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
Call us at 205-588-1411 or use our website’s online scheduling tool to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.