No two motor vehicle accidents are the same, but there are things you should and shouldn’t do regardless of the circumstances.
If you make even one mistake, it can put your safety and/or future financial well-being at risk.
Here are a handful of things you never want to do:
- Don’t leave the scene: It’s important to stick around, call 911 for help, exchange information and cooperate with police.
- Don’t chase the other person: If another person caused the crash, they may attempt to flee the scene. For example, someone who is driving without insurance may be inclined to leave. Your first thought is to follow them, but that’s a mistake. Instead, write down as much information about their vehicle as possible, such as the make, model, color and license plate number.
- Don’t turn down medical care: Even if you’re feeling okay, it’s best to get checked out. Some injuries, such as a concussion, don’t present symptoms right away. Also, receiving medical care will help when making an insurance claim.
- Don’t share too much information with your insurance company: Yes, you need to file a claim shortly after the accident. However, the more you talk the more likely it is that you’ll say the wrong thing.
With so much commotion after a car accident, it’s easy to make one or more of these mistakes. That’s why you need to remain calm, take things one step at a time and do whatever you can to protect yourself and your legal rights. This will lead you to file an insurance claim that positions you to quickly recover from the accident.