Our Gurnee Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You Avoid Costly Mistakes
You may already know what to do after a car accident. However, you might not know the mistakes to avoid after a car accident. Avoiding mistakes is just as important as taking the right steps to protect your recovery, and an experienced Gurnee car accident lawyer at Hupy and Abraham can help you protect your rights by avoiding unnecessary mistakes.
Mistake #1: Failing to Call the Police
After any car accident, you should immediately contact law enforcement, even if the crash seems minor. The police officer who responds to the scene can help you exchange information with other drivers and witnesses, ensure you are safe from secondary accidents, and help you get emergency medical care if needed. Additionally, the officer will create an official police report. This unbiased account can serve as valuable evidence for your claim.
Mistake #2: Not Seeking Medical Attention
Delaying or neglecting to get medical care after a crash can be a significant mistake. Some serious car accident injuries like concussions or internal bleeding may not show obvious symptoms right away. A prompt diagnosis and treatment plan are crucial for your physical recovery.
Your prompt diagnosis and treatment may also be critical to your legal recovery. If you wait too long to get care, the insurance company may argue your injuries aren't that serious or were caused by something else.
You can further protect your claim by following your doctor's treatment plan and attending all follow-up appointments. Gaps in treatment can hurt your case.
Mistake #3: Admitting Fault
What you say after a crash matters. For example:
- Do not apologize or say "I'm sorry" after an accident, even if you think you may be partly to blame. This could be seen as an admission of fault.
- Don’t talk about the cause of the accident with anyone but your lawyer. Do not talk about the cause of the crash with the other driver or their insurance company.
- Be cautious about posting details or photos of the accident on social media. Anything you post about the accident or your activities could be used against you.
Mistake #4: Lying About the Accident
Lying about any aspect of the accident, your injuries, or your medical history can seriously damage your credibility and hurt your case. If you're caught in a lie, the insurance company may have grounds to deny your claim entirely.
Accordingly, you should always tell the truth to the police, your doctor, and your lawyer. Your attorney can handle putting the facts in the best light for your case.
Mistake #5: Losing Your Temper
A car crash is a stressful, emotionally charged situation. But getting angry or argumentative with the other driver won't help. Similarly, it won’t help to take your frustration out on the insurance adjuster, even if you feel they're giving you the runaround. Let your lawyer handle the heated negotiations.
Mistake #6: Accepting a Quick Settlement
A fast insurance payout can seem tempting in the difficult days after a serious crash. But settling too soon is often a big mistake. Initial settlement offers are almost always lowball amounts that don't account for the full extent of your damages. Once you settle and sign a release, you forfeit your right to pursue additional compensation later on if your injuries are worse than you thought.
An experienced Gurnee car accident lawyer can assess the actual value of your claim and fight for maximum compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Mistake #7: Not Hiring a Lawyer
It’s challenging to anticipate every mistake and take every necessary action to protect your rights. However, an experienced personal injury lawyer can:
- Handle all communication and negotiation with the insurance company so you can focus on healing
- Gather evidence to build a strong case, including police reports, medical records, witness statements, and accident reconstruction testimony
- Identify all potential sources of compensation and accurately value your damages
- File your case in court before the statute of limitations expires
- Advocate fiercely for your best interests in settlement talks or in court if needed
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Gurnee, IL, the legal team at Hupy and Abraham is here to help. With decades of experience and a track record that includes recovering over $1 billion for our clients, we have the knowledge, resources, and tenacity to tackle even the most challenging cases.
Don't let a simple mistake derail your car accident claim. We're here to guide you through this difficult time and fight for the compensation you deserve.