It takes just a minute of driving through the Andover or Edison area of the Torresdale area of Philadelphia to find yourself with injuries, financial losses, and a terrifying outlook on your future. As a smaller community of about 11,000 people, you may not think that a serious accident can cause such a life-changing outcome. Yet, it is not just the car accident alone that can create risk.
Victims of car accidents who make statements that are misleading or not fully accurate find themselves unable to recover the damages owed to them. To avoid that, start by contacting our Torresdale car accident lawyer at Kwartler Manus for a free consultation. Let us help you as soon as possible with your case.
In the meantime, avoid the following common mistakes drivers make after a Torresdale car accident.
Leaving the Scene of the Accident
The most important first step you can take after a car accident is to call 911 and wait for the police. Even if you feel like you are okay, having the police arrive at the scene allows for full documentation of the incident. This includes all evidence that could help prove your claim. If you leave the scene, it will be far more challenging for you to get that documentation.
Under Pennsylvania law, if a driver leaves the scene of an accident, they could pay a fine of $300 and face imprisonment of up to 90 days in serious cases. This applies in any accident in which there is an injury reported. Remain at the scene of the accident and share your information with the other party. That includes your insurance information and contact details. We encourage you to ensure that a police officer also documents what happened.
Admitting Fault
Another common mistake after a car accident in Torresdale is admitting fault. You may not think you are doing so, or you may be trying to be polite. However, the simple statements you make after a car accident can create a serious risk of being held accountable. Consider the following common, simple statements that would get you in trouble:
- “I was just looking at my phone for a second.”
- “I’m sorry.”
- “I did not see the car coming.”
- “I just grabbed my drink.”
- “I looked up.”
Instead of making any of these statements, simply provide the facts of what happened. Be clear about what you actually saw and experienced, but do not interject any type of admission of fault into your statements.
Not Getting Medical Care
After a serious car accident, or even one that may not seem serious at first, make it a priority to get medical attention right away. Doing so allows you to minimize the risk of an unexpected injury causing health complications. For example, if you are in an accident along Primrose, Ashton, Maxwell, or other residential areas, it may be a slow-moving accident. You may feel okay, but you struck your head on the steering wheel. It may take a few hours for symptoms of a concussion to develop.
For these reasons, we recommend that you seek medical care immediately after an accident. That means going to the emergency room for a full workup. Inform the location where you were involved in an accident so they can conduct a thorough workup to document any injuries you may have.
You should not refuse medical care. Even if you do not need an ambulance, it is still advisable to undergo a thorough workup, even if you feel okay after an accident.
Not Taking Photos
Even with the police at the accident scene, you have one of the most powerful tools available to you in your hand to document your case and prove your right to fair compensation. That is your mobile phone. Use it to document everything you can at the scene of the accident. Some examples may include:
- The location of the incident
- The debris and damage around the site
- Injuries to yourself or others
- Damage to the vehicles involved
- The road conditions
- Weather conditions
This information can help your attorney and the police later to make a decision about who is at fault. It also helps to document the losses you suffered due to the negligence caused by others.
Not Hiring a Lawyer
Our Torresdale car accident lawyer is an ally in your fight for fair compensation. After you receive medical care and report your accident to both the police and the insurance company, do not stop there. Instead, allow our legal team to start investigating what happened. We will pinpoint all parties that are responsible for your injuries and build an evidence-based claim for you. We will handle the insurance company for you and negotiate a fair settlement. Avoid making the mistake of settling with the insurance company without the legal support you need.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Torresdale Car Accident Lawyer
Instead, call Kwartler Manus now for a free consultation. Let our Torresdale car accident attorney start working on building a strong case and claim for you. We know what you are facing, and we have the resources to help you build a strong claim.