If you were involved in a car accident in Plymouth, your response will determine whether you will receive fair compensation for your damages. It’s not uncommon for car accident victims to make mistakes that prevent them from securing the compensation that they deserve. Avoiding the following mistakes after an accident can help you and your Plymouth car accident lawyer to develop a strategy that will increase your chances of realizing the best possible outcome.
Biggest mistakes that car accident victims make after an accident
You do not collect evidence
We always advise anyone who is involved in a car accident to gather as much evidence as they can while they are at the scene of the accident. However, if your injuries are severe, your number one priority should be seeking medical treatment.
You should take as many photos as possible of the accident scene and take photos of your injuries using your phone. Videos are also important and they can significantly help your car accident claim. Gather the contact information of witnesses and the other driver as well. All this evidence will give your car accident lawyer a great place to start their investigation.
Apologizing for what happened
Apologizing is an admission of guilt and it can negatively impact your case. Saying things like “I’m sorry”, “or I didn’t see you coming”, or “I should have been paying attention” are statements that can be used against you. It’s advisable to not say anything after the accident and to let your car accident lawyer in Plymouth represent you.
Failing to call the police
The police will gather evidence at the scene of the accident even though they’re not there to help you build your car accident case. They will take photographs, track down witnesses and prepare an accident report that includes crucial information. Insurance companies prefer a police report because it is not biased in comparison to your own version of events.
Failing to go to the hospital
It’s important to get checked out by a doctor even if there are no visible injuries. You can only file a car accident claim if your injuries are verified. Producing a record of the nature of your injuries will increase your chances of securing a fair settlement. It is important that you go to the doctor as soon as possible because insurance companies might minimize your claim by saying that your injuries weren’t as severe as you claim them to be.
Accepting the first settlement offer the insurance company gives you
An insurance company will not give you the best offer the first time. Due to financial strain and the desire to just get the whole thing over and done with, you might be tempted to settle too quickly. It’s important that you take your time to build your case and convince the insurance company that you deserve much more than they are offering you. Getting a Plymouth car accident lawyer to evaluate your case and negotiate on your behalf will show the insurance company that you intend to pursue your case to the fullest extent of the law.
Relying on the insurance company value your claim
The insurance company will try to convince you that they are giving you a huge settlement amount. Keep in mind that an insurance company is a business like any other and they are simply trying to make a profit by paying you as little as possible while making it seem like they are paying you the maximum amount. Getting your case evaluated by a car accident lawyer in Plymouth is risk-free because they mostly work on a contingency fee basis. They offer free initial consultations and you only pay them after they secure compensation for you.
Being dishonest with your Plymouth car accident lawyer
Once you’ve established an attorney-client relationship you should divulge all information regarding your car accident claim to them. Skipping parts of the story or failing to disclose important information to your lawyer will not result in the best possible outcome for you because:
- They will not fully prepare the best case for you
- They will not have enough time to react to the information you hadn’t revealed to them
How can we help?
At Kevin P Landry Law Offices, our Plymouth car accident lawyers will help you avoid making common mistakes with your car accident claim. It is highly likely that you will make mistakes when you decide to pursue your car accident claim on your own. Contact us today at 508-746-2700 to schedule your free initial consultation.
