Minor car accidents are not something we often think about as being something to worry about. However, this does not mean that legal complications cannot appear. In most cases, you just have to deal with some minor vehicle damage. So, you decide to file the claim or the police report alone. An insurance company will get involved and will give you a settlement to cover your damages. However, in some cases, the settlement offered is not enough. Also, you might be injured. This is when you need the services of lawyers for car accidents in Philly.
What you do after the minor car accident will drastically influence how much you receive in your claim. And everything starts with what you should never do.
Leaving The Scene
It is a huge mistake to leave the scene of the minor car accident without you report it. This is actually considered to be one of the worst mistakes you could make because of several reasons. One of the most important ones is that calling the police means a police report will be filed. The report will be very useful in a lawsuit and will help to receive all appropriate damages.
Not Gathering Evidence
In more serious car accidents, we normally want to document everything. With minor accidents, this thought often escapes us.
Even if the collision was not serious, you still should take all the pictures you can. Then, try to collect the phone numbers of everyone involved, including potential witnesses. Take as many photographs as you can and then let your attorney sort through them to decide which ones are valuable.
Admitting Fault
One of the worst things you could do when you are involved in an accident is admitting fault. Never do this, even in the event that you think you had some fault in what happened. Keep in mind that at the end of the day, it is the job of the authorities to investigate and decide who is guilty of what happened.
What is interesting to notice is that you might actually admit fault without even realizing you did. You might talk to a witness and say something like “I am sorry”, which is a normal reaction even if the car accident was not your fault. That statement will then be used by the insurance companies to highlight that you were responsible for what happened.
Trusting Insurance Companies
The truth is that all insurance companies are in the business of making money. The insurance adjuster you talk to will seem friendly and helpful. In reality, they are just looking for ways to pay less, which is definitely not what you want to see happen. Insurance companies are businesses. Never trust anything they say.
The golden rule when dealing with insurance companies is always to talk to them only when you have an attorney in your corner.