Car Accidents

Top 6 Mistakes To Avoid After A Car Accident In New York

After a car accident in New York, it’s easy to make mistakes that could jeopardize your claim. Whether it’s apologizing at the scene or posting about the accident on social media, these missteps can harm your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve. This guide will walk you through the top mistakes to avoid, helping you protect your legal rights and maximize your potential recovery.

Keep reading to learn more about…

• Why it’s detrimental to apologize after a car accident.
• How social media use can damage your car accident claim.
• The risks of avoiding or delaying medical treatment after an accident.

• Not Reporting The Accident To The Police

No matter how minor the accident may seem, it’s essential to report it to the police. Filing a police report creates an official record, which may help establish liability later. If the police determine that the other driver was at fault, this documentation will be invaluable when filing your claim for damages.

• Apologizing Or Admitting Fault

It’s natural to want to apologize after an accident, but avoid saying “I’m sorry” or admitting fault. Even if you're simply being polite, your words could be used against you to suggest you were responsible for the crash.

While extending a routine courtesy won’t necessarily ruin your case – and it can be awkward and seem rude to withhold an apology – it's better to err on the side of caution. Stay calm and limit your communication to exchanging necessary information without discussing the details of the accident.

• Posting About Your Accident On Social Media

Insurance companies often scour social media for evidence to undermine your claim. Everything you post publicly will be seen, and posts that you make about the accident can be especially detrimental.

For example, if you’re telling the insurance company that you can’t work for six months but post photos of you skiing or mountain biking, you will have a very hard time proving that you truly can’t work.

So, try to avoid posting anything at all following a car accident, even if it seems harmless. And as a general rule, it’s best to keep your social media profiles set to private so that only close friends and family can see what you post, even if you’re not facing an accident.

• Settling Too Quickly With The Insurance Company

After an accident, the other driver’s insurance company may offer you a quick settlement. These early offers are often far below what your claim is worth because the insurance company’s main goal is to not give any money away – or give as little as possible.

They may argue that the other driver was not responsible and that they owe you nothing. They may also offer you a fairly low amount, such as $5,000 or $10,000, to make the case go away quickly.

Furthermore, they will likely try to make these offers before you have a chance to talk to a lawyer, allowing them to part with a relatively small amount before you have the chance to evaluate your claims with proper legal guidance.

Don’t rush to accept the first offer. Allow an attorney to review the details of your accident, gather evidence, and present your case in light of the damages that you are truly owed.

• Failing To Seek Out Or Follow Up With Medical Treatment

Even if you don’t feel injured immediately, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Failing to do so, or not following up with prescribed treatments, can give insurance companies grounds to argue that your injuries aren’t serious or weren’t caused by the accident.

You are responsible for getting yourself to an emergency room, walk-in clinic, or your family doctor’s office as soon after the accident as possible. Without prompt medical care, proving the injury and proving its connection to your accident can be difficult. What’s more, insurance companies will not allow themselves to be held liable for injuries that are not proven and documented.

• Not Consulting With An Personal Injury Attorney In New York

If you don’t consult with an experienced personal injury attorney, you’re leaving money on the table. You’re walking away from the meaningful awards and damages that you could have gotten with the right legal help – and without legal guidance to help hold people accountable, you’re allowing negligent parties to get away with behavior that puts other people at risk.

Many clients tell me, “I want to make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else.” Along with finding the damages you are owed, justice and accountability are a meaningful part of the legal process when filing a claim, and an attorney can help you accomplish all of these goals together.

Still Have Questions? Ready To Get Started?

For more information on The Top Mistakes To Avoid After A Car Accident In New York, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (716) 916-2046 today.

More Information:

• What To Expect From The Settlement Process After A Car Accident In New York