It’s something we all hope to avoid. Automobile accidents can be frightening experiences, but they can also be costly on a number of levels, from car repairs and medical bills to lost wages and possibly even litigation if another party is involved.
Your auto insurance is there to protect you in the event of a car accident, but sometimes people inadvertently say or do something when involved in a vehicular incident that jeopardizes their chances of making a successful claim—or, worse, puts them at greater risk of being sued.
Here are a few things to avoid if you are in a car accident and want to reduce your risk of litigation and increase your chances for a successful claim:
1. Saying it was your fault
Being in a car accident can be very jarring, and bring up a lot of emotions from anger to anxiety and yes, even guilt. Even if you think the accident was your fault, understand that by saying that to the other party or to anyone, you may be providing evidence that can be used against you later when you are better able to look at things more calmly. Even something as simple as saying you’re sorry someone got hurt can be interpreted as admitting responsibility, so as difficult as it may be, exercise caution in your words.
2. Not calling the police
If an accident doesn’t appear to be serious, there’s the temptation to not want to go through the hassle of calling the police, waiting for someone to respond, filing a report, and taking time out of an officer’s day for something that feels minor. However what appears minor to you may not be minor to the other party or to your insurance company when you file a claim. Failing to call the police at the scene of the accident means that you will be missing the important documentation that a police report can provide—documentation which can help to defend you in the event of litigation or help you support a claim for reimbursement of repairs.
3. Leaving the scene before the police arrive
Leaving the scene of an automobile accident before police arrive can actually have legal implications, as in some states it is a considered a crime—no matter who is at fault. If you are involved in an accident, pull your car over to the side of the road if possible and wait for the police to arrive. Not only will you save yourself from the possibility of being charged for leaving the scene of an accident, but you will be there to have the benefit of a police report as part of the necessary documentation for any claims.
4. Not gathering evidence
One of the biggest things to avoid is the lost opportunity to document evidence at the scene of the accident. Of course, assuming it is safe and you are in a condition to do so, it is best to take photos not only of the damage done to your car, but to the other automobile as well. This can help you prove the extent of your damages—and can help you defend against another party claiming later damage was due to the accident.
5. Declining medical attention
Especially in a minor accident it’s easy to shrug off the idea of seeing a doctor. You may even feel completely fine immediately following the incident. However it’s important to seek medical attention if you are involved in an automobile accident for two reasons. First, you may have injuries you are not even aware of. Sometimes the effects of a concussion or whiplash are not evident for a day or two, and a doctor can tell you what to look out for and what to do if you start to experience symptoms. Second, seeing a doctor starts a paper trail of documentation that can be important for you in proving our claim or supporting you in the event of litigation.
To get the most out of your automobile insurance, talk with an expert insurance agent at Superior Insurance and Auto Tags today.