If you’ve ever been in a car accident, you know that the aftermath can be confusing, frightening, and difficult to navigate. It’s easy to make a mistake that could hurt you in the long run—especially if you were not at fault and decide to hire a San Bernardino car accident lawyer to file a claim or sue the party at fault to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and/or pain and suffering.
Here are some common mistakes to avoid after you’ve been involved in a car accident.
Leaving the Scene of the Accident
Even if you believe there are no injuries or damage to either vehicle, you should never leave the scene of an accident as you could be charged with a misdemeanor or even a felony. Most states—including California—require you to remain at the accident scene until police arrive or other legal obligations are fulfilled.
Not Collecting the Other Party’s Information
Getting the insurance and other personal information from the other party or parties involved in the accident is key when it comes to a car crash. Unless you are seriously injured and need immediate medical attention, take the time after an accident to collect the other driver’s name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, license plate, and insurance information. This will help you file a claim after the accident and ensure you know how to contact the other driver. It will also be something your San Bernardino car accident lawyer will ask for.
Not Calling the Police
Calling the police is important if there is an injury involved in your car accident. Even if you don’t think your—or anyone else involved in the accident—injury is serious, it’s still important to call 911 as you never know how an injury will develop. While the police may decide they do not need to visit the scene of the accident, it’s always best practice to call them.
Admitting Fault
It’s easy to make the mistake of apologizing or taking blame for the accident if you believe you’re in the wrong. However, this is always a mistake as it can be used against you if the other party files a claim or decides to take you to court. Your San Bernardino car accident lawyer will represent you and help determine where the fault lies after you hire him or her, so don’t make their job more difficult by taking the blame.
Choosing the Right San Bernardino Car Accident Lawyer
Been involved in a car accident in the San Bernardino area? Whether you’ve made one of these common mistakes or not, it’s important to call an experienced car accident lawyer to represent you. To choose the right attorney, ask around for referrals, read online reviews and try to choose an attorney with a majority of five-star ratings, and do more research on the attorneys’ websites. You can then schedule a free consultation to ask the attorney more questions about their backgrounds and specializations and to see what they think of your case.
