plymouth car accident sceneCar accidents can be traumatic and there always seems to be an infinite amount of things that need to be taken care of immediately after the accident. It can be frustrating especially if the accident was not your fault. You first have to deal with your injuries and any damage to your property. You also need to get the contact information from the other party involved in the accident and also get in touch with your insurer to inform them about the accident. If you have been involved in a car accident within Plymouth, it’s best to contact a Plymouth car accident lawyer to help you with your case.

However, there are certain steps you might take at the car accident scene that could jeopardize your chances of receiving maximum compensation.

Below are some of the mistakes people make immediately after a car accident.

Not Calling the Police

A police officer will collect evidence at the scene of the accident which might just work in your favor when you file for a car accident claim. The police won’t purposely collect evidence to help you build your case but they will be in a better position to identify details that you probably wouldn’t have thought of.

Additionally, police officers are able to track down witnesses and even take pictures of the accident scene. Failure to call the police will likely result in “I said you said” situations.

Saying You Are Sorry

Apologizing is a natural response for many people even if the car accident wasn’t their fault. If you weren’t at fault for the accident then you have no reason whatsoever to apologize. Apologizing is considered an admission of fault and this might affect your claim later on.

It’s best not to make such a statement to an insurer even if all the evidence shows that you were at fault. The reason why we do not advise apologizing to the other party for the accident is that at that particular moment, it’s not clear who is at fault. Let your car accident lawyer in Plymouth handle the insurers.

Leaving the Scene of the Accident

Leaving the scene of a car accident in Plymouth, MA is a misdemeanor offense. It’s punishable by:

  • Both a fine and imprisonment
  • Imprisonment of no more than two years or not less than six months
  • A fine of $500 to $1000

If you leave an accident scene that resulted in death the offense is punishable by:

  • Imprisonment of no more than ten years or not less than 2.5 years and a fine of $1000- $5000
  • Imprisonment of no more than 2.5years or not less than 1 year and a fine of $1000-$5000

It’s okay to panic after a car accident but leaving the accident scene may cause the other driver to accuse you of a hit-and-run. Always stay at the scene of the accident until the police arrive.

Waiting to Seek Medical Attention

As mentioned earlier, car accidents can be traumatic and at that moment, it’s easy to assume you are not injured due to the adrenaline rush. However, you should ensure that you seek medical attention as soon as possible because insurers will view it as a red flag if you decline medical attention or delay it.

Delaying medical attention implies that your injuries were not as severe as you claim to be. This is not the message you want to send to insurers when you file your car accident claim.

Speculating about the Accident

It’s okay to speak to someone about the accident but it is very important that you do not speculate about the conditions that led to the accident. When you start sharing your opinion about what happened, your statements might be used against you or to portray a different narrative. It’s even worse if your statement is included in the police report because insurers also review copies of the report. You should, therefore, leave the speculation to insurance adjusters and car accident scene experts.

Have You Been Injured in a Car Accident in Plymouth, MA? Contact the Best Plymouth Car Accident Lawyer

Getting into an accident can result in severe injuries, high medical expenses, and lost wages, among other damages. We can be your legal representation if you want to pursue a car accident claim. Our Plymouth car accident lawyer has the experience and expertise of dealing with insurance companies and litigation. You can schedule your free consultation with us by calling 508-746-2700 today.