If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, a personal injury attorney can help you get justice. A successful lawsuit will provide damages for costs like medical bills and lost wages. Your actions after the accident help determine whether your claim will be a success or not. The below mistakes can cost you your case and should be avoided at all costs.

What You Should Avoid Doing After a Car Accident

1. Fleeing the Scene

Leaving the scene after an accident is a crime. Call emergency services to ensure everyone gets the medical help they need. This also allows you to give the police a formal statement, which is valuable evidence in a lawsuit.

2. Saying Sorry

While you should exchange contact and insurance information with other people involved in the accident, don’t interact beyond this basic information. Avoid apologizing. A clever attorney can construe this is an admission of guilt and later claim the accident was your fault, derailing a personal injury claim.

3. Failing to Document the Accident

If you are physically able to, document the scene of the accident immediately while you are still on site. Use your phone to take pictures of the cars involved as well as the surroundings. If the other driver ran a red light, for example, snap a picture of the stoplight. 

4. Neglecting to Get a Medical Check

Some injuries, like a concussion, do not always present immediate symptoms. You should see a doctor, even if you feel fine. The medical report will be useful for your personal injury attorney if you go ahead with a legal claim.

5. Settling Too Early

Some insurers will try to get you to sign settlement paperwork quickly, hoping to get you to agree to a sum less than your claim is actually worth. Always have a lawyer look over any documentation before signing. 

If you have been hurt in a car accident, trust the personal injury attorneys of Morrow, Gordon & Byrd, Ltd. for assistance. Located in Newark, OH, this law firm provides knowledgeable legal guidance to clients throughout New Albany and Westerville. They have over 20 years of experience. You can expect confident legal guidance alongside an accessible and friendly approach. To schedule a meeting with a personal injury attorney, contact them online or by calling (740) 345-9611.