Understandably so, you may be completely overwhelmed immediately following your car accident. However, you must take a moment to collect yourself; as the next steps you take are pivotal for your future insurance claim and personal injury claim. Continue reading to learn what mistakes you should avoid making and how an experienced Toronto car accident lawyer at Merricks Law Group, P.A. can guide you through the right course of action.
What mistakes should I avoid making after a car accident?
Certain mistakes may hurt your chances of receiving the financial award necessary to properly recover from your accident.
Firstly, you do not want to accidentally admit fault. That is, you may show sympathy for yourself and the other driver now having to deal with this terrible situation, but you can do so without placing blame on yourself. This is because the driver may be secretly recording you, or a law enforcement officer may make a note of this in the accident report.
Secondly, you do not want to refuse medical attention. This is because, for your claim, you will need to directly tie your injuries to the events of your accident. So, by rejecting immediate medical care, the defendant may argue that your injuries are unrelated or otherwise not as serious as you are claiming.
What’s more, other actions may be against the law. For example, you do not want to immediately drive away from the scene of the accident. This is because, for your claim, the most pivotal pieces of proof exist at the scene. But above all else, this is a “hit-and-run,” which is considered a serious offense under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act. This may have you worrying about facing criminal proceedings instead of initializing your personal injury claim proceedings.
What steps should I take instead?
Without further ado, it is in your best interest to take the following course of action immediately after your car accident occurs:
- Call 911, so that a dispatcher may send a law enforcement officer and emergency first responders to the scene of your accident.
- Take photos and videos of your personal injuries, your car damages, and any external hazards that may have added to your accident.
- Exchange contact information with the other driver(s) involved, so that you may file an insurance claim later on.
- Collect the contact information of present witnesses, so that they may testify in your personal injury claim later on.
- Allow emergency first responders to transport you to the emergency room, so that you may collect further medical documentation for your claim.
When it comes to your personal injury claim, you need a skilled Toronto auto accident lawyer by your side. This is why you must contact Merricks Law Group, P.A. today.
