1. Failing to Get Witness Contact Information
After a car crash, those who witnessed the accident typically stop to make sure everyone is o.k. While some may wait around for and speak to the police, many others do not. Unfortunately, once a witness has left the scene of the accident, finding them again can be extremely hard or impossible. This is why it is so important to get their contact information right away and why it can hurt you in the future if you don't obtain it.
When a witness pulls over to ask if you are all right, always be sure to ask for their full name, phone number, address and email address. If you need to file a personal injury claim, this information allows you to get a hold of the witness in the future. This can be vital in proving what caused the accident and who was at fault.
2. Forgetting to Take Photos of the Accident Scene
A picture can be worth a thousand words. And this is true of car accident scenes. A photo of a car accident scene may be able to show what caused the accident, who hit who and the amount of damage that was caused due to the collision.
If you have been involved in a car accident, you are making a mistake if you fail to get out of your car and take pictures of both of the vehicles, the accident scene itself, and any elements that may have played a role in the accident, such as an icy road or a hidden stop sign. The accident scene will look different days or weeks later, so be sure to document it on the day of the accident when possible.
3. Forgoing Medical Treatment
It is common to feel sore or stiff following a car accident. It is also common for people to put off going to the doctors because they think the pain or stiffness will go away if they rest their bodies, take over-the-counter pain relievers or use a heating pad. However, forgoing medical treatment when you first feel pain is another mistake that can negatively impact a potential future personal injury case.
If you feel any pain in your body that you suspect is a result of the car accident you were involved in, you should seek immediate medical care. This helps to document exactly when the pain first occurred and helps to correlate the pain to the accident. If you wait too long, it can be hard to prove that the pain was caused by the car accident and not another injury sustained in the meantime.
Obtaining medical treatment helps to document the injury and the symptoms you are experiencing.
4. Not Consulting With a Personal Injury Lawyer
After a car accident that has left you with injuries, you may be unsure as to whether you need to hire a lawyer or file a personal injury case. But, if you have sustained injuries, you should consult with a lawyer right away.
A personal injury lawyer can help to guide you on what to say and not say to the insurance company, preserve evidence, help you seek appropriate medical care and file your case before the statute of limitations tolls.
When you have sustained injuries in a car accident, it is important to consult with a personal injury lawyer in a timely fashion. When you need an attorney in the greater Wilmington, NC area, turn to The Law Offices of James B. Gillespie, Jr., PLLC. Contact us
now to schedule your free consultation.
