Many blogs from seasoned plaintiff’s personal injury lawyers explain what to do after a crash. This post instead covers what not to do after a car accident, because a few early mistakes can quietly weaken an otherwise strong claim.
Do Not Give the Other Driver’s Insurer a Statement
If you were in a vehicular accident and you were not at fault, do not personally contact the adverse party’s insurance carrier. Your first instinct is usually to call the carrier right away and confirm that coverage exists. Unfortunately, that call can cost you. When you reach the adverse carrier, the adjuster will claim they need a recorded statement from you about the facts before they can honor your claim. That claim is simply not true. In reality, the adjuster wants to ask about your injuries as soon after the crash as possible.
Remember that pain often takes a day or more to appear after a collision, so an early statement can lock you into saying you feel fine. Therefore, provide no statement, and let your attorney report the claim on your behalf. For background on coverage requirements, you can review the District of Columbia DMV guidance on vehicle insurance.
Do Not Assume You Have No Coverage
Next, do not worry about whether the adverse party carries insurance. Even if the other driver has no coverage, you are generally protected for the loss as long as you were insured. A knowledgeable Washington, DC car accident lawyer can identify which policy applies and handle every conversation with the carrier for you.
If you are unsure about your next step, contact our team and we are always happy to guide you. If you have been injured, our experienced slip and fall lawyers and personal injury lawyers are available for a free consultation.
