When you get into a car accident, you need to have your case in order. This isn’t just for your peace of mind, but for your financial future as well. If you’re not prepared for a car accident, you may find yourself paying out of pocket for property damage and medical bills.
Hiring a car accident lawyer is just as important as seeking medical attention. Your car accident lawyer will help you make sense of the situation, keep your case organized, and establish which party is at fault.
Here are tips for making a stronger case when you’re in a car accident:
Make sure that the police come to the scene.
While it may seem like an inconvenience to wait on the side of the road for a police officer to arrive, it’s essential that they be there to take statements from you and any other drivers involved in the crash.
It’s also important that they assess how much damage was done to each vehicle so it can be documented. Having this documentation is essential if your case goes to court and will make it easier for insurance companies to determine who was at fault.
If a situation arises where one driver flees the scene and isn’t caught, or if someone doesn’t have insurance, then having an officer present can help you avoid legal issues later on down the line.
Gather Evidence
In addition to calling the police, you should gather evidence at the scene of the accident. Collecting evidence can help prove liability for an accident and bolster your claim for damages against the at-fault party.
If it’s legally safe to do so, get out of your car and take photos of all vehicles involved in the accident and of any property damage done by the vehicles. This may help prove fault if there’s any dispute about what happened at the scene.
Car accident lawyers like our friends from Tuttle Law, P.A. have years of experience preparing cases for court, and the know-how to build compelling arguments.
Don’t get angry at the other driver.
It might be tempting to scream or yell at the other driver when they’ve hit you, but if you do, it makes you look like the angry person who was in a car accident rather than a calm and collected driver who is taking responsibility for their actions.
If you were in an accident where someone else was hurt, being angry when it happened could make things worse for them as well because being around an angry person can make things more stressful for everyone involved.
Avoid saying anything that could be taken as an admission of guilt. Even if you know it was your fault, don’t admit fault to anyone at the scene of the accident or to their insurance company until you speak with your own insurance company and car accident lawyer. You could open yourself up to more liability than necessary.