Posted on Monday, May 20th, 2019 at 1:46 am
Being involved in a car accident can be a shocking experience, even though you may have been involved in a traffic accident in the past. Unfortunately, the shock and the shot of adrenaline can make you forget the steps that you should take after a car crash to protect your legal rights. Our Sacramento car accident attorneys review three of the most common mistakes made after a auto accident and why those mistakes could cost you thousands of dollars.
Car Accident Mistake Number 1 — Saying You Are Sorry
Saying you are sorry after a traffic accident could result in a much lower settlement for your injury claim. California’s comparative fault laws state that your compensation for a car accident can be reduced by the amount of fault assigned to you for the crash. Insurance companies understand this law and often try to use the law to reduce the amount of money they must pay to accident victims. If the insurance company can prove you were partially at fault, you do not receive as much money.
Therefore, never admit fault at the accident scene or when speaking to an insurance adjuster. Even saying you are sorry could be interpreted as admitting partial fault.
Car Accident Mistake Number 2 — Treating Your Injuries at Home
If you want to recover compensation for your injuries after a car accident, you must document those injuries. The best way to document your injuries is to see a physician after the accident. The insurance company will not accept your opinion of your injuries. It will want to see reports and medical records from a health care provider that proves you were injured in the car crash.
Therefore, it is a good idea to see a doctor after any car accident. It ensures that you receive the care you need for your injuries, but it also documents your injuries for a auto accident claim.
Car Accident Mistake Number 3 — Thinking That You Do Not Need a Sacramento Car Accident Attorney
Some car accident claims can be settled without an attorney. If the accident did not involve traumatic injuries and the insurance company admits that its driver was 100 percent at fault for the crash, you might be able to settle the claim without the assistance of an attorney.
However, insurance adjusters are always searching for ways to lower the value of a traffic accident claim. The adjuster’s job is to protect the insurance company, not the accident victim. It is not in the best interest of the insurance company to pay large settlement claims regularly. Therefore, adjusters are very careful to look for ways they can lower the value of your claim.
A Sacramento car accident attorney understands how insurance companies and adjusters operate. They also understand personal injury laws and other laws that govern car crash claims in California. The other driver and the insurance company have professionals protecting their interests; you deserve to have someone protecting you.
Contact a Sacramento Car Accident Attorney for a Free Case Review
It does not cost you anything to talk to a Sacramento car accident attorney. You are not under any obligation to hire our law firm after your consultation. You have nothing to lose by contacting our office, but you could lose thousands of dollars by trying to handle your car accident claim on your own.
To find out how our legal team can help you with your accident claim, call The Tiemann Law Firm by calling (916) 999-9000 or by visiting our website.
