Common Mistakes After a Car Accident That You Need to Avoid

Posted: Jan 20, 2022

A car accident can make a person's life very difficult. Not only do you have to pay for repairs to your car, but you also lose valuable work and personal time, and you can be injured and face complicated legal consequences. It is common to make mistakes that could make things even worse. Try to avoid these!

Not calling the authorities

Many people panic after an accident and don't call the police. This is one of the worst mistakes you can make! The police will not come to the scene to arrest you for a simple traffic accident. They are there to help make sense of what happened, take statements, and record the facts. All of this is valuable evidence to build your case and obtain compensation. Also, you need to obtain a report of the accident from the police, even if the other driver admits they are fault and provides their contact information. Without a police report, it may become very difficult to prove the other party’s negligence or liability to build your case. In these cases, insurance companies may assign a number representing the percentage of your fault in the accident, called comparative negligence, which will limit the maximum amount you can recover in your claim.

Leaving the scene of the car accident

Leaving the scene of an accident is considered a punishable offense under section 320.16 of the Florida criminal code. Not only will you face a penalty for leaving the scene, but you may also face a charge of obstructing the investigation. If you had a car accident, the best thing you can do is to stay on the scene until the police arrive.

Moving your vehicle

The position of the vehicles after the accident is crucial for investigators to determine what happened and who is responsible. Do not move your car unless strictly necessary for safety reasons.

Not hiring a lawyer

After a car accident, you will face all kinds of legal situations, such as insurance claims, investigations, bills, and more. Dealing with these on your own while you try to recover from an injury is nearly impossible. You need help from a team of personal injury lawyers with extensive experience in these types of cases.

Accepting an agreement without consulting a car accident attorney

This is essential if you want to obtain the maximum possible compensation for any damages or injuries. The insurance adjuster's job is to look out for the insurer's best interests by trying to get you the least amount of money possible. You can bet that the first offer you get does not reflect the complexity of your situation. An attorney can help you understand your case and pursue fair compensation.

Waiting too long to seek medical care

After an accident, visit your physician as soon as possible to take care of your health and well-being and obtain a professional record of any injuries you may have sustained during the accident. Under Florida law, you must seek your initial medical treatment within 14 days of the day of the accident. If you do not do this, it may be difficult to prove your injuries later and you may lose any rights to seek compensation for your injuries and losses. In addition, the other party may claim that you did not seek medical attention to worsen your condition and obtain higher compensation.

Withholding details of the accident

Do not hide information from the police, as it is very likely to come to light during the investigation. Don't try to play tough by withholding information about your injuries from the paramedics either, as you need evidence on your side. Finally, never lie to your lawyer. They are on your side and need as much information as possible to understand your case and protect you.

At Mubarak Law, we have a passionate and experienced legal team ready to help you after an accident. Avoid making any of these mistakes and contact us as soon as possible. Our priority is to provide you with the best representation. Call our car accident attorneys in Orlando today at (407) 502 3000 or fill out the online form provided on this page and we will contact you shortly.

Don't forget to read our list of things you DO need to do after an accident.