If you’re in an accident and have suffered an injury or any car damage, that can be stressful enough. A crash can affect your life for years and even a minor fender-bender can spoil your day. The situation can be even worse if the other driver accuses you of causing the accident.
Unfortunately, some car accidents turn into a situation involving finger-pointing. If this happens to you, here’s what you should do:
- Don’t say “sorry.” Many people try to appease anger with an apology. In this case, however, these five letters can harm your case. While you may be sorry that the other driver is upset or that the crash happened at all, the insurance company and attorneys for the other side will often use this word against you, saying you admitted to causing the accident. It may be an instinct to apologize, but resist the urge.
- Stay calm. Do not engage with the other driver’s emotions. The situation can devolve into a road rage incident, and at that point your physical safety may be in danger.
- Stay on site, but get a little distance. Let the other driver cool offer. Exchange contact information and then stay on site but move slightly away. If you feel you’re in danger, get in your car and call emergency services.
- Document everything. Take photos of your car, the other car, and the area where the accident took place. Get the contact information of anyone who saw the crash, if you can. Visit a medical professional as soon as you can to get checked for any possible injuries. Or, contact emergency services if you may be seriously injured. Continue to document anything the other driver says, any injuries that develop, or anything else that may be relevant. These details can help you build a claim and can also help you prove your innocence.
- Report the accident. Never let another driver convince you to “just ignore” an accident that has caused injury or even minor damage. In some cases, the other driver will go to the police and allege you left the scene of the accident. Always exchange insurance information and always report the crash to your insurer. Get a police report by reporting the accident to police, too. Even if you’re not sure you want to file a claim, reporting everything can protect your rights to pursue compensation later. It can also help you establish you were not at fault.
- Call a car accident attorney. If you’re being accused of causing a car accident, it’s a serious situation. An attorney can investigate the true cause of the accident and can even help you pursue compensation if you’ve been injured or your car has sustained damage. Attorneys work with car accident investigators and professionals who can thoroughly look into all possible causes of a crash. In some cases, the legal team at Flaxman Law Group has worked with investigators who have found crucial details that law enforcement, insurance adjusters, and other professionals have missed but that was essential to proving fault in an accident.
If you need to talk to a car accident attorney in Southern Florida, call Flaxman Law Group at 866-352-9626 or contact us online. We’d be happy to offer you a consultation at no charge, so you can find out what your options might be.