Things You Should Never Do After a Car Accident
If you’re in a car accident you don’t want to do anything that could put your insurance claim or legal rights at risk. And if you or your passengers have sustained injuries, you don’t want to make them worse.
This is our list of things you should NEVER do after a car accident.
Don’t hit and run.
This should go without saying, but don’t leave the scene of an accident without exchanging insurance information with the other driver and reporting the accident to the police. Committing a “hit and run” is a misdemeanor or felony under Colorado law depending on the seriousness of the accident.
Don’t stay in the road.
After an accident, you should get your car out of traffic if you can. Causing a multicar pile-up is the last thing you need. If your car is drivable, pull off to the side of the road or anywhere else that will keep it from being hit by additional vehicles. If your car isn’t drivable, exit the car when you can and get out of the way of traffic.
Don’t move seriously injured passengers.
If you or any of your passengers seem to be seriously injured don’t try to move them out of the car unless they’re in danger from other things (a car fire, for example, or other vehicles colliding with your car). Wait until trained first responders can get you or your passengers safely out of the car.
Don’t argue with the other driver.
As difficult as it might be -- especially if the accident wasn’t your fault -- try not to argue with the other driver or accuse him/her of causing the accident. You don’t want to escalate an already bad situation into an assault charge. Try to remain civil and wait for the police to sort out the facts.
Don’t admit the accident was your fault.
Don’t tell the other driver or the police that the accident was your fault. Even if your actions did cause the accident (e.g., you were looking at your phone), you can and should truthfully relay the facts about the incident to the police without admitting that you might have been negligent.
Don’t tell anyone you weren’t injured.
Even if you think you’re OK immediately after a car accident, you may have sustained injuries that will take some time to become apparent. Don’t tell the other driver or the police that you haven’t been injured in the accident. If pressed on the issue you can say, “I’m not sure” or “I’ll know in a few days.”
Don’t cut a deal with the other driver.
Don’t be tempted to negotiate a “deal” with the other driver without reporting the accident to your insurance companies or the police. The other driver could still report the accident without your knowledge and your insurer could deny coverage for the incident. Colorado law also makes it illegal not to report an accident under certain circumstances.
Don’t negotiate compensation for injuries on your own.
If you or your passengers were injured, the aftermath of your accident gets much more complicated because you’ll be dealing with multiple insurance companies and the doctors and lawyers hired by them. You need a lawyer who represents YOU in this process.
A Colorado Springs car accident lawyer like the attorneys at Levine Law can handle all of the communications (and negotiations) with the insurance companies and their doctors and lawyers so that you don't have to. If lawsuits need to be filed to fully protect your rights, Levine Law will deal with those too. Our goal is to make that you are fully compensated for your injuries and our no/win, no/fee policy means that you pay nothing to Levine Law unless you receive compensation.
