If you’re in a car accident, staying calm and knowing what to do is essential. There are certain things that you should avoid doing after an accident, as they could make the situation worse. This article will discuss five of the most important things not to do after a car accident. We hope that this information will help keep you safe and protected after an accident.
Don’t Leave
Do not attempt to leave the scene of the accident. This is one of the most important things to remember. If you go, you could be charged with a hit and run. Even if the accident was not your fault, staying at the scene and exchanging information with the other driver is still important. You’ll want to consider an auto accident attorney and contact your insurance company.
Contact Insurance Company
Do not try to talk to the other driver about what happened. It’s important to let your insurance company handle the conversation. You should only give them your side of the story and let them negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company.
Don’t Admit Fault
Do not admit fault for the accident. This is something that you should never do, even if you think it was your fault. The insurance companies will determine who was at fault for the accident.
How do they determine who is at fault?
There are a few different ways that insurance companies can determine who is at fault for an accident. One way is by looking at the police report. The police will usually list who they think is at fault for the accident in their report.
Another way is by looking at witness statements. If there are any witnesses to the accident, their accounts can be used to help determine who is at fault. The insurance companies will also examine any damage to the vehicles to try and determine who is at fault. If one driver rear-ended another, they would likely be found at fault.
What if I’m not sure who is at fault?
If you’re not sure who is at fault for the accident, it’s important not to say anything. You should let the insurance companies investigate and determine who was at fault. If you try to guess, you could be held responsible for the accident, even if it wasn’t your fault.
What if the other driver admits fault?
If the other driver admits fault for the accident, you should still let the insurance companies investigate. The other driver may be trying to take responsibility to avoid being held liable, but that doesn’t mean they are at fault. The insurance companies will still need to do their investigation to determine who is really at fault for the accident.
Don’t Take Pictures
Do not take pictures of the damage to your car. This is something that you should leave for the police or your insurance company. They will need to see the damage to process your claim.
Possible signs of damage after a car accident include:
- Dents
- Scratches
- Broken glass
- Missing parts
Don’t Sign Anything
Do not sign anything without speaking to an auto accident attorney first. The other driver’s insurance company may try to get you to sign a release of liability. A release of liability is a legal document that absolves the other driver of any responsibility for the accident.
If you sign this document, you could be giving up your right to file a claim or sue for damages. This is something that you should never do without speaking to a lawyer first.
Final Thoughts
We hope that these tips will help you know what not to do after a car accident. If you or someone you know has been in an accident, we encourage you to contact an auto accident attorney to help you through the process.