No one sees a car accident coming. However, every driver must learn how to handle the aftermath.
You may intend to do the right thing, but in the heat of the moment, you are prone to make several mistakes. Some of them can cost you dearly.
Whether the accident was your fault or due to the other driver’s recklessness, you should refrain from doing certain things in such instances.
Here are some common pitfalls you should avoid after a car accident.
Forgetting Your Safety
If you are not gravely wounded, you may try to park your car on the side of the road. While it is a good measure, attempting to drive is not ideal when you have serious injuries.
When you are unable to drive, leave your vehicle and get to safety. Call the emergency services to assist you and the other passengers.
If you are too injured to even step out of the car, ask the bystanders to call for help.
Safety is not an option but a priority. Before worrying about anything else, this should be your first move.
Not Calling The Police
Refusing to call the police when involved in an accident is a foolish move. It can result in a penalty. To avoid trouble, you should contact them to report the incident as soon as possible.
In addition to recording your statement, officials conduct a thorough inspection of the scene and collect evidence from witnesses to compile the report. So, even if you feel the accident is minor and no one is significantly injured, you’re better off reporting it to them immediately.
Some people may try to convince you that it is unnecessary. The other party may use this tactic to evade responsibility for their fault and slip away from the situation.
Failing To Take Pictures
If your injuries are manageable, take as many pictures and videos of the accident scene as you can.
Make sure to cover the following:
- Close-ups of the damage done to the vehicle, including minor ones like dents and scratches.
- The license plate of the other vehicle.
- Skid marks, leakage, or anything which suggests the type of accident.
- Clear pictures of your injuries.
- Traffic signs or any other road signs present at the accident site.
- Photos of the witnesses with their consent.
- Nearby landmarks, buildings, or establishments. `
These can help you build a strong claim.
Not Getting Medical Help
Victims of car accidents may neglect to seek medical help, wrongly assuming they don’t require it. They do not know that symptoms of injuries or any damage to the body show up only days after the collision.
Experiencing mild pain on the side of your stomach after the crash? A few days later, it could turn severe and might be diagnosed as an internal injury. Any delay can lead to organ failure. Issues like brain injury can go undetected, and you wouldn’t doubt a thing until it’s too late.
Therefore, if you sense even the slightest pain, consult a doctor without ignoring it. After running some crucial tests, any bigger problem would come to light, and you can take prompt action against it.
By ignoring minor aches, you’re also at an increased risk of building a weaker claim. Your insurance provider may state that your injuries are not because of the accident but from other unrelated activities. You may not avail proper compensation when you cannot prove otherwise.
Furthermore, if you say you do not have any pain or injury while at the location of the accident, it may be recorded by the police or witnesses. Later, they may use this statement against you.
Not Talking To Witnesses

The circumstances that lead to accidents are often unclear. So, you may be unsure about what happened before or during the collision.
You can talk to other drivers or witnesses who have noticed the accident. If they have observed the situation at a close distance, they can provide vital information and details you might have missed.
Talking to them can help you get a clear idea, and you may also record their statements by obtaining their permission.
If they seem supportive, you can exchange contact details. They can be solid references when you’re building a defense.
Giving A Statement Immediately
When you contact your insurance company after the accident, they will most likely ask you for a recorded statement. They may even say it is required immediately to put you in a hurry.
Remember that saying anything out of pure emotion would be futile. The insurance agent may try to throw you off track for their advantage and use the statement against you in the future.
You are legally entitled to speak only after consulting an accident attorney. Even though your statement is required, there is no compulsion that you should talk there and then.
A slip of the tongue can have undesired implications. So, be careful and avoid talking until you think straight.
Accepting The First Offer
Let’s face it: you would be in a pretty vulnerable state after an accident. Continuously stressing over medical bills, repair costs, and other financial damages can negatively impact the clarity of your thoughts. Therefore, you may find it tempting to accept the first offer from your insurance company.
Often, insurers try to lowball their clients. If you have never negotiated a settlement, you may consider their offer decent and receive unfair compensation.
In several cases, the other party (who is at fault) tries to salvage the situation by offering some money to the victim. Do not accept anything because they may later use this against you.
Not Hiring An Accident Attorney
Despite the common notion that minor accidents do not require a lawyer, having one makes a huge difference.
Especially when injuries and damage are severe, you should hire a qualified accident attorney who can help you receive compensation without much struggle.
Do not try to “handle it yourself” just to “save some money.”
The average person is not well informed about all aspects of an accident. Therefore, it is best to let professionals tackle the legal part.
Conclusion
It is important to get all the available support you need during this time, considering the mix of legal, emotional, and financial issues that are involved in an accident.
Burdening your mind with too many responsibilities will do more harm than good. So, instead of doing everything yourself, ask for help without hesitation.