There are several basic “rules” that you should always take seriously following an accident. Some of them you should follow because it’s the law and you could get into trouble if you don’t, while others are just common sense rules that make dealing with an accident much smoother.
Never Leave the Scene of an Accident
You could find yourself being criminally prosecuted if your car has been involved in an accident and you leave before the police arrive. It’s also a good idea to avoid moving your car (unless you are risking further accident or injury by leaving it where it is) until a police officer has been able to take a look at the accident scene. If you are blocking traffic, try to move the very shortest distance away from where the impact took place. If you’ve suffered injuries from the accident stay in the vehicle until the emergency personnel arrive to assess your physical condition. Call the police yourself, or have someone at the scene call for you, but make that call a priority.
If the Other Driver is Reluctant to Contact Police
If you are a victim of negligent driving which resulted in an accident, and the other party says, “Oh, let’s just handle this ourselves without calling the police,” do not be persuaded! Even if you’ve properly exchanged information, you may end up very sorry should you not call the police and have an accident report filed which will detail the accident as well as who was at fault. If you later find that the other driver was either uninsured, or comes up with a completely bogus story about how the accident actually happened, then you will be the one to bear the financial hit. Your insurance may not pay due to lack of a police report, and you could be stuck with injuries and damages to your car that you will have to pay out of pocket for. Take the time and call the police, and don’t be bullied into ignoring this crucial step.
Don’t Refuse Medical Attention
It happens time after time at accident scenes. People who are involved in a crash routinely refuse medical attention even when they are feeling at least some level of pain. They go home, then hours later find that their pain has increased significantly, and end up in the emergency room. The problem with this is that if and when your case reaches court, your delay in seeking treatment can be used against you to prove your injury was not a result of the auto accident. In most all cases where the accident was any worse than a very small bump-in, you and your passengers should be checked out by EMT workers, emergency room personnel or your own personal doctor before you go home.
Never Admit Fault
If you are able, following an auto accident, try to jot down notes as to when the accident occurred, the weather and road conditions, the absence or presence of street lights or skid marks, etc. Make a diagram which shows the location of the vehicles involved in the accident as well as any traffic signals or signs in the immediate vicinity. Good notes can serve you well should your case go to trial. While you will definitely want to exchange insurance information with the other driver, and state the basics to the police, it’s never in your best interest to admit responsibility for the accident until you have consulted an attorney. Your statements following an accident can come back to haunt you, and in any case, the police may determine the other driver was equally at fault, so use your right to remain silent if you are thinking of “confessing.”
Call an Attorney
Even the simplest auto accidents can require many steps by the people who suffered injuries, and dealing with the insurance companies, medical issues and possible lost wages can be very complex. Failure to notify your insurance company could lead to a denial of your claim down the line, so hiring a lawyer can allow you to focus on getting better rather than dealing with insurance issues.
At Barrett Law, PLLC, a dedicated car accident lawyer in Mississippi from our law firm is committed to representing Mississippi car accident victims with the compassion and personal attention that has allowed our law firm to develop a leading reputation throughout Mississippi. We have been helping Mississippi car accident victims in Lexington and across Mississippi for over 75 years so call Barrett Law, PLLC today at (662) 834-2376.