Auto Accident Do"s and Don"ts
- COLUMBUS, OH, February 02, 2007 - "All too often, I encounter people who have compromised their auto accident claims by their actions immediately after a crash. Failing to do something that you should, and doing something that you should not, can be equally damaging to your case," says Robert W. Kerpsack, a Columbus, Ohio personal injury lawyer. "Everyone should be aware of the do"s and don"ts that apply during those first critical moments after an accident."
There are certain actions that you must undertake immediately after a motor vehicle accident in order to preserve evidence and protect your legal rights. After an accident do:
§ Contact Law Enforcement - a police officer, sheriff, or state trooper will collect important evidence that you may miss or are unable to gather, and will make an official report considered by most insurance companies to be more credible than your personal statements.
§ Obtain All Contact Information - Get contact information from everyone involved, including drivers, passengers, and witnesses. This is also the time to get insurance information and license plate numbers of all vehicles involved, as well as making a note of the make, model, and colors of the vehicles.
§ Photograph the Scene - Take pictures of the vehicles, skid marks, debris, surrounding area, injuries, and anything else that might be meaningful.
§ Seek Medical Attention - Even if you do not feel that you are injured, you may have injuries that you are not aware of. Injuries must be documented as soon as possible in order to prove that they have been caused by the accident and not something else. Medical records recording symptoms and complaints of pain are usually a critical part of personal injury cases.
§ Document Everything - Write down everything that you can remember about the accident while it is still fresh in your mind, before important details fade away.
§ Call an Experienced Attorney - You will be dealing with individuals and insurance companies. In some cases, you may even be dealing with auto manufacturers and government entities. An experienced accident attorney can determine who is at fault and help navigate your personal injury case. An experienced accident attorney is particularly important when the accident involves death or serious bodily injuries such as a brain injury or broken bones. You will have a limited amount of time to take action; therefore, you should contact an attorney right away.
After an auto accident you may be emotionally shaken, but there are certain things that you must not do:
§ Admit Fault - Even if you think you are at fault, there may be factors that you are not aware of that caused or contributed to the accident (such as a faulty traffic light, vehicle defect, etc.). If you admit fault, then you may give up some of your legal rights and compromise your personal injury case.
§ Flee the Scene - Even if you are not at fault, you may be held criminally responsible for leaving the scene of an accident before the law enforcement authorities arrive. You may also lose your right to compensation for doing so.
§ Sign Anything - Your insurance company or someone representing other parties involved may ask you to sign something after the accident. This could be days, weeks, or even months after the event. Do not sign anything, no matter what they say it is, until you have had it reviewed by your attorney. You could be signing away your right to compensation.
§ Wait to Take Action - You must act quickly in presenting your claim. There are time limits which apply to the filing of your legal case. Sometimes, you will have a better chance of a favorable outcome if you take action before someone else takes action against you. Contact an experienced accident attorney as soon as possible.
Even accidents that seem simple on the surface can lead to legal claims that are complex and confusing. If you have been involved in a serious car accident with injuries, contact an experienced auto accident attorney right away.
02.02.2007 - 10:34 Source: 24-7pressrelease.com | Read: 322 X
