Five Things You Absolutely Should Not Do After a Kansas Car Accident
As a car accident attorney in Kansas, it’s my job to help my clients receive the compensation they are due. I use several methods to help my clients either negotiate a settlement with the insurance companies or take their cases to court and let a judge decide who is right and who is wrong.
The only problem is that I cannot help my clients until they come see me for a consultation. Often times, they have already done things that make my job of getting just compensation for them harder than it has to be. They may even be facing additional legal problems due to their actions after a car accident.
That why I decided to share the five things you should not do after a car accident.
- Don’t Drive Away
Have you ever been in a small fender bender? Sure, there’s some minor damage, but you swap insurance information and both agree to go about your business without involving the police. You drive away. The other driver stays and calls the police. He says you fled the scene of the accident, and now, the police only have his side of the story to work with. Your minor fender bender just became a huge problem. Now, this doesn’t happen often, but it does happen. The best thing you can do is stay at a scene of an accident and wait for the police to arrive regardless of the severity of the accident. - Don’t Refuse Medical Treatment
No one likes to go to a hospital. It’s cold, smells funny and it’s full of people who want to poke and prod you with sharp things. Well, after a car accident, going to the hospital is just something you have to do. You might as well deal with it and go. Car accident injuries do not always manifest immediately. It is important to be examined by a qualified medical professional soon after an accident. - Don’t Lose Control
It’s important to remain calm after a car accident. You need to retain your composure even if your adrenaline is running high. Don’t scream at the other driver. Don’t call him an idiot who shouldn’t be on the road. Don’t kick his car. Remain calm. On the flipside, don’t start apologizing profusely and say, “It was all my fault. I should have been paying attention.” You should never admit fault. Even if there is something you could have done to prevent the accident, it still might not be wholly your fault. - Don’t Forget to Document the Accident
Now, the police report is the most important document associated with a car accident injury claim in Kansas, but police make mistakes just like every other human being. It is up to you to protect yourself – if you are able. If you have the ability, you should make sure to personally get the other party’s insurance information, name, address, driver’s license number, phone number and tag number. - Don’t Forget to Contact a Lawyer
Not all cases require a personal injury attorney, and an attorney will be quick to tell you if he thinks your case is one that can be settled without his assistance. Still, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to car accident insurance claims. You should go ahead and arrange to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after your accident. Most attorneys, including myself, offer a free consultation service where you can discuss the particulars of your case with no obligation.
If you have been injured in a Kansas car accident, you need to speak with an attorney. If you would like to speak with one of our expert attorneys, please fill out the FREE car accident claim evaluation form found on this site, and one of our car accident lawyers will contact you soon to discuss your case.