If you are in a serious car crash, you may go into shock, affecting your ability to think clearly. It can be easy to make a mistake, especially if you have never been in this situation before.
The problem is that some mistakes could make receiving the compensation you need less likely. Let’s look at three common ones.
Saying you’re sorry
However you phrase an apology, it suggests you know you did something wrong. Insurers look for anything they can use to challenge a claim. If the other driver tells their insurer you apologized, they may try to use it to deny your claim or reduce the amount you get.
Leaving the scene
It might be tempting to flee the scene of a crash or make a quick agreement with the other party and go your separate ways. Both could be problematic. Drivers are obligated to call the police in most collisions, and settling directly with the other driver will prevent you from getting the total amount you could be due if you filed a claim.
Assuming you aren’t injured
Even if you are a doctor, you cannot necessarily tell whether you are injury-free or not. Some internal injuries do not show symptoms until a few hours or days after the initial event. Confusion from the shock also won’t help you to make an accurate assessment.
Get a medical check-up as soon as possible, ideally right away. It allows medical staff to make a thorough assessment using imaging equipment if needed. Even if they do not spot anything new, their report can help tie your injuries to the crash.
Avoiding those mistakes puts you in a stronger position to pursue a compensation claim, as will getting legal help to file your claim.