Worst Mistakes You Can Make After an Orlando Auto Accident
It’s understandable that you are emotional and upset after an auto accident, but it’s important to try to keep calm and think your actions through. How you respond to the situation can ultimately impact the amount of recovery you are eligible to receive if the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence. You may feel you have an understanding of what you should do after the accident, but what about what you shouldn’t do? It’s imperative not to make some of the most common mistakes after your accident as these can have a serious impact on your right to recovery.
Here’s a look at some of the most common mistakes people make after being involved in an Orlando-area auto accident.
Deciding Not to Call the Police
Even if you think your injuries are minor, you need to call the police. Police can gather important information and ensure you have contact information for all parties. The police aren’t helping you build your case per se, but the information they obtain at the accident scene can be valuable during the claims process. In most cases, the police are able to obtain evidence from the scene that cannot be duplicated, so it’s important that you call them.
Admitting Guilt, Even Inadvertently
You should never say you’re sorry at the scene of an accident. This even includes if you don’t mean you’re sorry for causing the accident, but just sorry that it happened. Many people say I’m sorry as a way of coping and making other people feel better. Your comments can be taken out of context and used against you.
Many plaintiffs do not realize that what they say to anyone after the accident can be used against them. This also goes for talking with the other party’s insurance company. They will try to get you to make a recorded statement that can be used against you in the case as well. You should never agree to a recorded statement without first speaking with an Orlando auto accident attorney first.
Waiting Too Long to File a Claim
You should always file a claim right away after an accident. Does your insurance company have a time limit for filing claims? Waiting too long can hurt your chances of recovery, especially since the more time that passes, the harder it is to collect evidence.
Not Seeing a Doctor After the Accident
Even if you don’t think your injuries are serious, you should always go see a doctor after the accident. This helps document your injuries and, in many cases, they often find something else is going on that you were not aware of. Not all injuries after an accident are visible, and some may take a couple days to manifest symptoms. If you wait to see a doctor, the other party’s insurance company will use that against you in the negotiation process.
Not Telling Your Attorney Everything
One of the worst things you can do is keep your attorney in the dark. You must tell him or her everything or they can’t prepare the strongest case for you. The last thing you want is for your attorney to get caught off guard and you look dishonest. The best thing you can do is contact an Orlando auto accident attorney from the start and explain the whole accident in detail so they can start gathering evidence.
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, contact the Orlando auto accident attorneys at the Payer Law today to schedule an initial consultation.
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