Four Mistakes You Don’t Want To Make After A Car Crash

Getting in a car accident is probably one of your worse nightmares. However, most people do get in an accident at some point in their lives, so it's important to know what to do -- and what not to do -- when this happens. Here are four mistakes you really don't want to make after a car crash.

1. Neglecting to call the police.

The other driver may insist that they can give you their information and you can settle the matter without getting the police involved. However, this approach can get you in really big trouble if you later find that there is more extensive damage to your car -- or that you have injuries you did not notice right away. Always call the police to come make a report after an accident. This ensures that you can then file a claim with your insurance company and get any compensation you deserve.

2. Not going to the doctor.

If you feel relatively fine after the accident, you might just want to get on with your day rather than spending half of the day waiting in an emergency room. However, many serious injuries, like liver damage and spleen damage, don't always cause symptoms immediately. It's important to get checked out by a doctor after an accident. If you do not want to waste time in an emergency room, head to an urgent care center instead. They tend to offer faster service, and they find you have a serious injury, they can easily transfer you to the hospital.

3. Apologizing to the other driver.

Whether or not you think you are responsible for the crash, resist the urge to say "I'm sorry" to the other driver. Sometimes, this may be taken as an admission of guilt, and you may find yourself being held responsible, legally and in a financial sense, for the accident. It's best not to talk to the other driver at all; let the police communicate with you.

4. Failing to take pictures.

The damage to your car won't go away on its own, so taking pictures may not seem that important. That is, until the other driver tries to claim the accident was your fault. Take photos of the whole scene and both cars. Make sure they are clear, and take them from multiple angles. Your car accident attorney can use these photos to demonstrate how the accident occurred and show that it could not have been your fault. 


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