Car accidents happen every day in New Jersey, but they still come as a total shock for the people involved. The moments after an accident can feel like a daze, and victims can end up making crucial mistakes that may cost them later on.
Sometimes, it’s more important to remember what not to do after a traumatic incident than what to actually do. Here are three things that you should absolutely avoid doing if you are ever involved in a car accident:
Don’t skip the 911 call
It doesn’t matter if you were involved in a minor fender-bender in a parking lot. After any accident, you need to dial 911 so that you can get a police incident report. The police incident report is usually the central piece of evidence in a personal injury claim, and if you don’t have one, you may not get compensated for your injuries and property damage.
Don’t say you’re sorry
Even if you think that you’re at fault for the car accident, you could be wrong. It’s also possible that you were only partially at fault because both you and the other driver committed driving infractions. Sometimes it’s hard to determine who the at-fault driver is right after a crash, but blurting out that you’re sorry could interfere with an impartial investigation.
Don’t forget to gather evidence
If you have your smartphone handy after an accident, don’t let the opportunity to take photos and videos go to waste. As long as you aren’t too badly injured, try to get a video of the scene and close-up pictures of the damage. These videos and photos may be crucial evidence in your insurance claim.
Do remember to take care of yourself
One thing that you absolutely should do is take care of yourself. Every car accident can be traumatic, and you may need time to heal. Get medical treatment, document all of your injuries and ask loved ones for help when you need it.