The 6 Most Common Mistakes People Make After Car Accidents that You Can Easily Avoid
Whether you're a professional truck driver from Bennett, a commuter from Denver, or a soccer mom from Aurora, getting into a car accident can be a life altering experience. From the moments immediately following a collision, to the weeks that follow when it comes time to tend with property damage and injury, it can be a chaotic time. But when you rely on Mark A. Simon as your council, you'll have the benefit of years of experience and the confidence that you'll be properly compensated for pain and suffering as well as damage to your vehicle.
A car accident is only fraught with risk for potential injury, but can upend your family or small business for weeks. Mark A. Simon has specialized in providing fast, professional, and effective counsel for Denver car accident victims for decades. In fact, Mark A. Simon has over two decades of experience representing those who have been injured in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, trucking accidents as well as those who have been victims of drunk drivers. Before you enlist the personal expertise of Denver’s foremost car accident attorney, there are several steps you can take in the wake of an automobile accident that will help your cause later.
Never Admit Fault —Under Any Circumstance
Shock. Confusion. Guilt. These are all common emotions when you endure a car accident. As difficult as it is in the moment, maintaining calm is key. Regardless of your interpretation of the incident, never admit fault after a car accident. Doing so can not only imperil you in the eyes of the law, but also rob you of potential compensation down the road if you are proven not to have been the cause. There is a process for proving fault that your Denver area car accident attorney can methodically walk you through once you enlist legal representation. Do not admit fault to either others who are involved in the accident or to law enforcement authorities upon their arrival.
Properly Exchange Information with All Parties & Witnesses
Regardless of the severity of your accident, always take the time to get the names and contact information of every party involved as well as any witnesses. In addition, be sure to notate the insurance information and license plate numbers of the other driver or drivers. This information not only aids law enforcement authorities and insurance representatives in determining fault, but can also be a key way to reinforce your interpretation of events in a court of law. A list of key information you should acquire even in circumstances where you, fellow passengers or the other driver are not injured include:
Full name and telephone number
Insurance company holder and policy number
Driver's license and license plate numbers
Make, model and color of all vehicles involved
Exact location and time of the accident
It’s Never “No Big Deal” —Always Notify Police
The confusion and chaos of a car accident can be difficult to deal with, but it’s always important to watch out for red flags if you have been injured in a car accident or if your vehicle has been damaged. If other drivers who are involved are content to exchange information and let your opposing insurance companies work out the details later, it should arouse suspicion. Never minimize the scope of an accident or resolve the situation without law enforcement present. If the individual you have been in an accident with claims they need to leave or departs the scene of the accident, record as much information about their vehicle as possible.
Never Minimize Injuries Out of Embarrassment
The law office of Mark A. Simon understands that car accidents can be harmful to our pride as well as our bodies. So while it may feel natural to minimize injuries sustained in a car accident, or chalk them up as no big deal in the instances immediately following an accident or collision, it’s imperative never to do so. Just because the pain you're experiencing in the immediate aftermath of an accident may no feel severe, it does not mean it could not worsen or lead to other health problems in the future. Once you have exchange information with others involved in a car accident and have resolved the accident with police, the next crucial step is to immediately document and address any injuries sustained with your healthcare provider or at an emergency treatment facility.
Properly Document Every Facet of the Accident Scene
Your mobile phone camera can be one of your best ally’s when it comes to dealing with the scene following an automobile accident. Take careful steps to document any and all damage to your vehicle at the accident scene, including any other factors that may have resulted in its cause. This includes documenting damage to other vehicles and the exact location of the incident. Photographs can later prove to be an invaluable resource when it comes time to pursue legal action after a car accident.
Always Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
Too many Denver area drivers make the mistake of going it alone when it comes to dealing with personal injuries and property damage that can come as the result of a car accident, motorcycle accident, drunk driving incident or truck accident. When you have an experienced, knowledgeable and accomplished attorney like Mark A. Simon by your side, you’ll have the confidence to move forward with legal action or personal injury compensation demands with confidence.