Mistakes to Avoid After a Car Accident in Ontario

Have you recently been involved in an auto accident? Confused about getting back up on your feet after sustaining injuries or damage to your car? Immediately after an accident occurs, the first thing you need to do is to get help. Before leaving the scene of the accident make sure you talk to the police who will document the entire incident. Get contacts of witnesses and anyone else involved in the accident. For a free consult, reach out to a car accident lawyer to help you navigate the claims process. Avoid making the mistakes below.

Not reporting the car accident

If an accident occurs and you don’t report it to the police or insurance company as soon as possible, this may impact your claim. Sometimes, the at-fault party tries to convince the victim to accept a settlement out of pocket without involving the police or insurers. You can’t be guaranteed that the amount you receive will cater for all your losses. Injuries may not all manifest immediately. Sometimes the injuries become worse with time and you may not get compensated again if you already agreed to an early settlement.

Not understanding your legal rights

Having a lawyer by your side ensures your rights are protected regardless of the part you played in the accident. Additionally, you have rights to information such as police reports. If you believe that any information recorded by the police is incorrect, discuss this with your lawyer.

Making uninformed statements

Making statements that are uninformed or mistaken can undermine your chances of getting compensated. It is imperative that you are of sound mind and fully capable of appreciating issues before you provide a statement to any parties.

Failing to collect evidence

From leaving the site without taking photos of the accident scene to moving your car, many people make these common mistakes after a car accident that may impact their claim. Take pictures with your phone to capture what is happening. Consider gathering evidence from other sources such as cameras from the business near the accident scene or witnesses who saw the accident and can vouch for you.

Not seeking medical care

When injured in a car accident, you should seek medical attention. Injuries can become worse over time and should be fully investigated by medical practitioners. An experienced lawyer can help you gather all medical records to support your claim.