Mistakes to Avoid After a Southern California Car Accident
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, handling the crash appropriately can put you in a better position to seek compensation. There are several common mistakes that can make it difficult for you to recover the compensation you deserve. Learn more about how to handle the aftermath of a Southern California car accident and how many victims have unintentionally derailed their own claims. Looking for the right legal representation for your case? It’s time to talk to DeWitt Algorri & Algorri car accident law firm. Our team of aggressive and experienced car accident attorneys is committed to helping victims like you. Call us at 855-WINNING (946-6464) to set up a consultation now.
Car accidents are a significant problem in California, despite significant efforts to improve roadway safety and keep road users safe. Between 2020 and 2021, traffic fatalities jumped nearly 8%, resulting in over 4,200 deaths. Fatalities caused by alcohol impairment increased a shocking 16% during the same time period. As a driver, it is crucial that you do everything you can to protect yourself and also know what steps to take after a crash. Avoid these critical mistakes.
Not Reporting the Accident
Too many drivers, particularly young drivers who have never been involved in a crash, have been talked out of reporting their collisions to the police. Perhaps the other driver doesn’t want the mark on their insurance or they know that their car isn’t road-legal. Regardless, if another driver tries to convince you not to call the police after an accident, they don’t have your best interests in mind. They are trying to protect themselves. Reporting the accident is important, both for your insurance and for your personal injury claim.
Accepting Fault
It’s easy to rush out of your car after a crash and apologize, accept your role in the crash, or try to figure out which mistake you made that led to the collision. Don’t do this. You really don’t necessarily know what happened in the accident, and accepting fault too early could mean giving up your right to fight for compensation. It’s better to just make sure that everyone is okay, avoid taking blame, avoid starting a fight, and call the police. Let the insurance companies and car accident attorneys figure out who’s liable and who has to pay.
Letting Evidence Degrade
There is a lot of evidence that is only accessible for a short time frame. For example, you only have a short period of time to take photos and video of the crime scene. If you try to return later to get the evidence you need, you’ll be returning to a cleaned up road—and that opportunity is gone forever. Furthermore, consider eyewitness testimony. People’s memories are clearest immediately after an event. If you wait weeks to reach out to eyewitnesses, their memory of the crash will be much weaker than it was right after. It’s best to connect with eyewitnesses immediately to get their statements. This is one of the benefits of having a car accident lawyer; they can reach out to witnesses and get necessary information from them.
Refusing Medical Care
We understand; medical care can be expensive, and if you feel fine it’s tempting to pass on the checkup and just walk it off. But if you refuse medical attention, you could miss a very serious injury that could cause permanent or even fatal damage. Additionally, without prompt medical attention, it’s difficult to prove your injuries to the other party’s insurance company. They’ll look for any excuse to avoid paying you full and fair compensation—why make their job easier? Get checked out by a doctor, keep copies of your medical records, and be ready to show their insurance company how you were injured.
Trying to DIY Your Legal Case
The earlier you talk to a car accident law firm after a car accident, the easier it is for us to help you. If you’ve already negotiated on your own and failed, there’s a good chance you’ve unintentionally given damning information to the insurance company. This makes it much harder to advocate for you. Save yourself time, energy, and stress from the beginning by turning to a car accident lawyer.
Explore Your Legal Options With DeWitt Algorri & Algorri
If you’re ready to move forward with your car accident claim, let’s sit down and talk about your next steps. Call our team at 855-WINNING (946-6464) or send us a message online to set up a time to meet with our team.
Mark Algorri has successfully represented individuals and their families in matters involving serious and catastrophic injuries, insurance claims denials, and wrongful deaths, achieving a success rate of 99 percent for our clients.
