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Don’t make these post-car accident mistakes

On Behalf of | Apr 24, 2019 | Firm News

Imagine driving through Brooklyn, minding your own business and simply trying to make it to work with enough time to grab an extra coffee from the vendor across the street before you clock in. Unfortunately, things literally go sideways when another driver runs a red light and plows into the side of your car.

Now, you will have to miss work, deal with car repairs and visit the nearest emergency room to take care of your injuries. If this has not actually happened to you yet, it could occur today, tomorrow or in a month. The best thing you can do is to be prepared.

Part of being prepared for a car accident is understanding what you should and should not do in the aftermath. You probably already know that after a car accident you should call the police, check the other people involved for injuries and exchange insurance information. Here are a few things you shouldn’t do after a vehicle collision.

Don’t move your vehicle

Unless it is unsafe to leave your vehicle where it is, you should not move it. In order for the police to fully assess the situation, they should be able to see the final positions of the vehicles. However, it might be unsafe or illegal to leave your car in the middle of the road or in the place where it came to a stop. If you must move your vehicle, be sure to take pictures before you do so that you have evidence to present to the police.

Don’t leave the scene

After a car wreck, you must stay at the scene until the police give you permission to leave. Once you have given your statement and contact information to the officer, you do not have an automatic green light to hop in your car and drive away. Instead, check with the officer to make sure he doesn’t need anything else from you and that you are free to go.

Don’t throw away evidence

There might be evidence from the car wreck. Perhaps there was something faulty with your automobile or maybe the impact was violent enough to cause injury and there are blood stains on the clothes you were wearing that day. No matter how seemingly insignificant, do not through away anything that might potentially be evidence.

If you are ever the victim of a car accident, remember what you should and should not do after the wreck. The wrong move could cost you when it comes time to file your claim for the injuries and damages you suffered as a result of the collision.

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