It is no secret that when you are involved in a car accident, no matter how severe, it is a stressful event. The shock of being in a car accident has us not thinking clearly. Here are the ten mistakes we see our clients and others make following a car accident.
- Not Calling the Police. Even if you are not injured in an accident, it is a good idea to call the police and document it. We have had too many cases where the other driver later denies an accident occurred at all when our clients attempt to get their property damage paid. Calling the police, even if it is inconvenient, allows for a record to be made of an accident.
- Not Taking Photographs. After an accident, it is important to move your vehicles so as to not disrupt traffic, but also to make sure you are safe. Before you move your car, take photographs of the vehicle positioning and the property damage.
- Not Securing Insurance Information. If you are involved in an accident, make sure you get a photograph of the other driver’s license, license plate, insurance card, and the car’s registration. If you suspect the driver is on a mission for a business, driving for Uber or Lyft, or working for another person, secure that information as well. We have handled cases where our client only obtained a name and telephone number from the other driver, which can turn out to be false!
- Not Collecting Evidence. It is important to get the above information, but also important to take photographs and videos of the surrounding areas, to get witness’s names and telephone numbers before they may leave the scene of the accident.
- Admitting Fault. While it is encouraged to check on the occupants of another vehicle after an accident, there is no reason to state the accident was your fault.
- Skipping a Doctor Visit. Put simply, if you are in pain, go to a doctor. It is important to get checked out after an accident to allay any concerns about a severe injury and to get instructions and medications you may need to start the rehabilitation process.
- Settling with the Insurance Company. There is no rush to settle with an insurance company. In Louisiana, you have one year before you have to file a lawsuit after an accident. The most important thing following an accident is not to negotiation compensation with the insurance company, but to make sure you are ok.
- Paying a Traffic Ticket. If you receive a traffic ticket following an accident and you do not believe you are at fault, you should fight the ticket, even if it is inconvenient.
- Not Consulting an Attorney Early. If you believe you were injured in an accident, it is important to consult an attorney as soon as possible. The earlier an attorney gets involved in your case, the more likely that important pieces of evidence will be preserved.
- Not Consulting the Right Attorney. If you turn on the television, you know that there are too many attorneys out there that want to take your car accident case. But, what is difficult to sort out is what attorneys actually have experience litigating these cases and what attorneys care about YOU and not just your claim. The attorneys at Kiefer & Kiefer have been working on car accident cases for 60 years. The secret to our continued success in this city is that we know the law and we care about our clients, not just their cases. We are happy to give you a free consultation on an accident claim.
This is being provided for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice.
