Common Mistakes to Avoid After a Car Accident in San Antonio
After a car accident, your adrenaline is pumping throughout your body and you may be suffering from serious injuries. You may experience a great deal of pain, wonder how you are going to pay for your mounting medical bills, or question when you will be able to return to work and earn a living. The stress you will deal with in the following days, weeks, and months can result in many mistakes being made that can hurt any claim for compensation you may file. Below, our San Antonio car accident lawyer outlines the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.
Not Seeking Medical Attention
People do not always think they are injured after a crash. It is only when they wake up a few days later with symptoms of a concussion or whiplash that they realize the severe nature of the accident. To avoid this, it is imperative that you seek medical attention after any accident. This does not only protect your health and well-being, but it also documents your injuries and how they occurred. Every day you delay medical treatment gives an argument to the other side that you were not really injured by the car accident.
Providing a Recorded Statement
The insurance company representing the liable driver will call soon after a crash. They may seem friendly and as though they want to help. Unfortunately, they do not. They will ask for a recorded statement and try to get you to admit fault or make other statements that can hurt your case. They will then use your own words against you to deny you a fair settlement.
Accepting the First Offer
Obtaining a fair settlement typically requires you or your lawyer to enter negotiations. Although the insurance company may make a settlement offer in the first few days or weeks after a crash, it is unlikely going to be enough to cover your medical expenses and other losses. To ensure you are receiving fair compensation, always ask a San Antonio car accident lawyer to review any settlement offer you receive before accepting it.
Assuming Fault is Clear
It may seem obvious to you that the other driver was at fault for the crash. However, the insurance company may still try to shift blame to you. This is most common in left-turn accidents, rear-end collisions, and multi-vehicle pileups. If they are successful with this argument, it can significantly reduce the compensation you ultimately receive.
Not Collecting Evidence Right Away
After a crash, physical evidence disappears very quickly. Skid marks fade, vehicles are repaired, and video footage from nearby businesses is often erased. It is critical to preserve as much evidence as possible. This includes the official accident report, photos of the crash scene, the names and contact information of witnesses, police body camera videos and dash camera videos, and every bill or receipt you received. All of this is imperative when proving your case.
Not Contacting a Car Accident Attorney in San Antonio
The best way to protect your rights, and your claim, is to work with a San Antonio car accident attorney. At the Law Office of Israel Garcia, we will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, ensure that evidence is preserved, and help you avoid the mistakes that can hurt your case. Call us now at 210-LAW-9999 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our experienced attorney. You pay nothing unless we recover a verdict in your favor or a settlement.
Source:
statutes.capitol.texas.gov/?tab=1&code=CP&chapter=CP.33&artSec=
