Being involved in a car accident in New York can be a scary and overwhelming situation. There’s a lot of activity at the scene, and it can be difficult to know what to do.
While it’s only normal to feel a bit out of it, it’s important to avoid certain mistakes that may hurt your ability to recover compensation from the at-fault party. Knowing what not to do after a car accident is the best way to protect your rights.
Don’t admit fault or responsibility
After an accident, it’s only natural to feel compassion for others involved (even if it was their fault). Because of this, you may be tempted to say something like, “I’m sorry.” Even if you just mean you are sorry about the situation in general, it can be used as an admission of guilt or fault. Because of this, it is best to keep conversations to a minimum to ensure you don’t say anything that may be used against you to place blame.
Don’t leave the scene
Even if the accident isn’t your fault, you should never leave the accident scene until you are cleared to do so by the police. Leaving may make it seem like you have something to hide or that the accident was your fault.
Don’t put off getting medical care
If you don’t feel like you were injured in the accident, you may be tempted to say no to a medical evaluation. You must get checked out and have all injuries documented by a medical professional.
Protecting your rights after a car accident
If you want to protect your rights and your ability to recover compensation after a car accident, keep the tips above in mind. Avoiding these mistakes will help you recover what you deserve for the injuries and damages you experience.