We all hear about car accidents every day, even if we are not in one. Because car crashes happen pretty frequently, we might think we know how we would react if we were to be in an accident. But, until you actually experience being in a crash, saying what you would do is purely speculation. When adrenaline kicks in, as it does after a traumatic experience like a car accident, it is easy to say or do things that are out of character. However, if you are able to keep a cool head and have a bit of background information on what to do or not do at an accident scene, you can increase your chances at maximizing recovery for the damages suffered.

In car accident cases it is sometimes better to know what NOT to do, such as:

  • Do not admit fault, even something as simple as saying you are sorry can be taken as an admission of liability.
  • Do not offer to talk to the insurance adjuster for the other driver. You should only talk with an insurance adjuster after talking to an attorney and ideally, your attorney will handle your statement for you so your words are not misconstrued.
  • Do not leave the accident scene. You are required to remain at an accident scene until help arrives and the investigating officer tells you that you are free to leave.
  • Do not move any injured persons. Medical personnel are trained in what to do on an accident scene and sometimes moving a person can cause their injuries to become more severe.
  • Do not move your car, unless it is in the way of traffic. It is important for the officer investigating the accident to arrive at the scene with the vehicles at their final resting places. This helps the officer get a clear picture of what happened so the official report is accurate.

Every personal injury case is different, but the above five things remain the same in any instance. For what you should do – you should dial 911 to get help there as quickly as possible, especially if there are injuries. You should also give the officer on scene an honest account of what happened, without embellishment. And most importantly, you should contact a qualified attorney to pursue damages on your behalf.

For more information, call the attorneys at Yetnikoff Law Offices, PLLC today. We can be reached at 800-279-6331 or you may visit us online for more information.