The Things No One Shares with You About Car Accidents
Posted on March 3rd, 2019 by Oddo & Babat, P.C.
Auto Accident Lawyer
A person’s day may begin just like any other, where they wake up from a night of sleep and start getting ready for their day. Rarely does anyone imagine getting into a car accident later on the road. So, they get dressed as usual and do their morning routine. Then when they verge out onto the roadway they may cruise the same familiar streets they always do when on the way to work, errands, or visit loved ones. In a split second a car accident may occur, resulting in pure chaos, as an auto accident lawyer Lakeland, FL offers knows well.
From the moments getting out of the car through the weeks after, stress and confusion are bound to arise. While many of us are taught what to do in the event of a car accident, there are certain things we aren’t told that can surely help the incident get handled with more ease while protecting ourselves from financial ruin.
#1 If You Don’t Get Medical Attention Now, It Can Hurt You Later
Rarely does anyone walk away from a car accident scene without some degree of injury. If you do not get emergency care right away, it not only can prevent you from getting the treatment you need, but it can also impact your lawsuit later if you take action against the driver who hit you.
Unfortunately, many victims of car accidents don’t realize they may have grounds for a civil lawsuit, where they can receive compensation for what happend. But, if there is no medical documentation which proves your type and severity of injuries, it can hurt your case and decrease your chances of winning.
#2 In the Moment, Everything You Learned May Be Forgotten
It can be easy to drive past an accident and imagine how you would handle the situation. But it’s another thing to actually be in the collision yourself, where adrenaline and panic can rapidly flood your system. Everything you had planned to do in the event of an accident can be quickly forgotten, until hours later when you realize you had missed a crucial detail.
For example, you may forget to gather evidence at the scene, such as photographs of the vehicle damage, driver’s information, any visible injuries, and more. When it comes to dealing with your insurance company and pursuing a lawsuit, without evidence it can be challenging to prove your side of the story.
#3 Your Instant Reaction May Be to Profusely Apologize
As humans, most of us don’t enjoy getting into conflicts with other people. And when something as serious yet awkward as a car accident happens, one of the first instincts may be to apologize (even if you know it wasn’t your fault). However, by saying you’re sorry this can be interpreted as guilt or fault, and the other driver may use this against you to elude responsibility. A better way to phrase your wording would be to ask if the person is okay, and whether there’s anything you can do to help in that moment. With that, you are coming from a place of support versus accepting blame.
Thanks to David & Philpot, P.L. for their insight into personal injury cases and things you should know about car accidents.