What Not To Do After A Car Accident
When you are involved in a car accident, there are a number of important steps to take — reporting your accident to the police, getting medical care and filing a claim with the insurance company are just a handful of them.
But did you know that there are also a number of things that you shouldn’t do after a car accident? Here is some information about actions to avoid after a car accident in Milwaukee.
Do Not Make Any Admissions Of Fault
Wisconsin is a traditional fault insurance, or tort liability, state. This means that drivers who cause accidents are responsible for paying for them, typically through their insurance policy (read more about required insurance on the website of the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance). This also means that if you caused a crash, you may not be able to recover compensation for your injuries. This is why it is incredibly important that in the aftermath of a crash, you do not make any admissions of fault. This includes telling the responding police officers that you think you may have caused the crash, talking about any illegal or negligent maneuvers you think you made (for example, speeding, distracted driving) or even apologizing to the other driver.
Do Not Exaggerate The Extent Of Your Damages
When you are filing a claim, one of the worst things that you can do is exaggerate the extent of your damages, whether talking about property damage to your car or physical or psychological injuries to your person. If you overstate your damages, the insurance adjuster responsible for processing your claim most likely will find out, which will then discredit everything else you say.
Do Not Post On Social Media
Following a car accident in Milwaukee, you may be tempted to post about the crash on social media. Or, even more likely, you may be tempted to continue using social media as normal, writing about your daily activities or posting pictures of yourself out and about. However, you should refrain from using social media during the claims process, as insurance adjuster can use any online evidence against you. For example, a photo of you having a good time could be used to discredit claims of your physical injuries or claims of damages like pain and suffering.
Do Not Attempt To Represent Yourself During The Claims Process
It is common for those involved in a car crash to assume that when they file a claim, they do not need an attorney. However, one thing that you should do after a crash is to hire an experienced Milwaukee car accident attorney. An attorney does more than just help you file your claim. An attorney investigates your accident, gathers evidence to prove negligence, organizes all of your documents, determines what your claim is worth and negotiates with an insurance adjuster. An attorney can also litigate your claim if a fair settlement cannot be reached.
At the offices of Lindner Law, LLC, we care about you, and we know what to do to help you seek the most money possible after a crash. To schedule a consultation and learn more about your options, contact us online or by phone today.