Car accidents, no matter how minor, can cost financial and emotional losses to anyone involved. Depending on the circumstances, you might have to deal with physical injuries, emotional distress, damaged property, loss of income, etc.
Fortunately, California personal injury laws allow victims to file claims against negligent parties who caused the accident. If another driver, a manufacturer, and other responsible parties caused the accident, they could be legally held liable for economic and non-economic losses you sustain.
That said, filing personal injury claims for a car accident in California requires you to go through a specific process and show proof. This means you should be careful when dealing with people, insurance companies, pieces of evidence, and relevant paperwork.
Here are a few mistakes you should be avoiding:
What You Shouldn't Do After A Car Accident In California
1. Not Seeing A Medical Professional After The Accident
A lot of victims trivialize their injuries in seemingly mild accidents. You should see a doctor ASAP if you don't have visible wounds or other injuries.
Many injuries don't have obvious symptoms, like concussions and bruising. However, just because they're not immediately noticeable doesn't mean they can't be serious. Call 911 or go straight to the hospital to have a medical professional check you out.
Additionally, your medical records will be crucial evidence when filing personal injury claims in California. It will essentially be a list of the physical injuries you suffered from the accident, so you don't want to wait until things heal.
2. Leaving The Scene
If you can, stay accident scene. Make sure you stay to notify the authorities even if the other driver flees. Leaving the site of an accident can sometimes lead to criminal penalties. However, don't worry about finding evidence if you're injuries are severe. In these cases, the police will often come to you.
That said, if you can, gather evidence by taking photos of the scene and getting the names and contact numbers of witnesses while you wait. This information can be crucial should you hire California car accident lawyers to help you file claims.
3. Admitting Guilt Or Expressing Regret
Even though it would seem polite to apologize after an accident, you should not. In actuality, it's preferable to limit your interactions with the other driver. By doing this, you'll be able to avoid saying anything that could later be used against you.
Our prescreened California car accident lawyers advise that you only exchange insurance information and wait for the authorities to arrive. The same advice applies to cases where the defendants are either the manufacturer or other parties that contributed to the accident.
4. Negotiating With The Insurance Company Yourself
The interests of insurance adjusters are not in your best interest. They may come out as kind and sympathetic, yet their primary concern is the health of their business. Due to this, it is always advisable to use extreme caution when speaking, and it is never a good idea to give a written or recorded statement.
That said, it's best to contact a Los Angeles car accident lawyer before speaking to an insurance adjuster. A personal injury lawyer in California will be able to review your claim before you agree to possible low-balled offers. Not to mention, your lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company for you, so you avoid getting intimidated or forced to accept low offers.
Hire Prescreened California Personal Injury Attorneys Right Now!
Our prescreened personal injury attorneys in California have helped plaintiffs get the payouts and representation they deserve. We'll refer you to a California lawyer with the right expertise, experience, and reputation. For a quick and free case review, contact us via our 24/7 live chat (or our case submission form).
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